Federal license crackdown drives Punjabi truckers to food trucks in California

A federal push to revoke driving licenses for immigrants has forced thousands of truckers off California’s highways and into the food business. The policy shift, which cost more than 13,000 migrant drivers their licenses this year, has transformed lonely stretches of interstate highways into hubs for Indian cuisine.

Karanveer Singh, who hauled produce for a decade, received an email in December stating his license would expire in 60 days due to his immigration status. He used his life savings to buy a used food truck and opened Ghar Di Roti near Highway 99 in Merced County. The business serves Punjabi staples like roti, dal, and goat curry to drivers who need a quick meal during breaks. “The work I’d been doing for 10 years stopped dead,” Singh said.

According to Dhabaroute, an online directory for Indian roadside eateries, the number of such businesses in the U.S. has tripled since 2023. The site lists more than 150 locations, with California leading the count at over 30, followed by Texas with more than 20. Raman Dhillon, who runs the North American Punjabi Trucking Assn., noted that many drivers left the industry after licensing issues and started food trucks instead.

The trucking industry has grown more diverse as immigrants filled gaps left by retiring baby boomers. Foreign-born individuals now make up 16% of truckers nationally, according to the Department of Transportation. Punjabi Sikhs form a large portion of this demographic, with about 150,000 working in trucking, mostly on the West Coast, according to the Sikh Coalition. The federal government ordered California to cancel roughly 13,000 nondomiciled driver’s licenses in October, a move that left many drivers in limbo.

Gurpal Singh Maan opened his shop Royal Chaat in 2023 at exit 434 on I-5. He has seen a rise in competitors this year, attributing the influx to the federal crackdown. “People came into the food industry only when this problem hit,” Maan said. However, the boom faces challenges. Fewer drivers on the road mean less traffic for these eateries. Gurnam Singh, owner of Antelope Truck Stop in Wyoming, said his sales are down 70% this year because there is less traffic on the highway.

New entrants also struggle with startup costs and immigration-related fears. Rajvinder Singh, who opened Desi Hut in Manteca, gets 10 calls a week from former truck drivers wanting to start similar businesses. He warned that many underestimate the costs and close quickly. “I know at least 10 people who closed as fast as they opened,” he said. Some drivers avoid Indian restaurants entirely, fearing federal immigration officers may be present near locations with migrant workers.

The industry is also grappling with high diesel prices and fluctuating tariffs. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the administration has canceled more than 28,000 foreign driver licenses and purged 9,500 truck training schools from its registry. Despite these hurdles, some former truckers are diversifying their businesses. Karanveer Singh is expanding into truck repair and wash services and has stated he will not return to driving.