Setback for Punjabis: Over 1,800 drivers lose jobs after US cancels licences over rising traffic fatalities

Approximately 1,800 drivers lost their jobs following cancellation of their licences, most of them being Punjabis.

By Jasleen Kaur Gulati April 3rd 2026 12:08 PM -- Updated: April 3rd 2026 12:20 PM

Setback for Punjabis: The US state of Indiana has cancelled the commercial licences of 1,800 noncitizen truck and bus drivers without specific employment-based visas as part of new statuary ban in view of recent traffic fatalities.

Approximately 1,800 drivers lost their jobs following cancellation of their licences, most of them being Punjabis.

Governor Mike Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1200 in March 2026. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) sent notices to 1,790 drivers on March 16 informing them that their licences would be cancelled. Once the law came into effect on April 1, all non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licences (CDLs)—held by those without H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas—automatically expired.

Indiana is the first US state to take such action against migrants driving trucks. Governor Braun said the decision was taken after two major accidents involving Punjabi truck drivers in February 2026. In one case, a 64-year-old man was killed in an accident involving a truck driven by Sukhdeep Singh.

The government said the move aims to stop untrained and unqualified drivers and make roads safer. Under the new rules, knowledge of English is mandatory. Truck owners who employ drivers with cancelled licences will face a fine of $50,000.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said the main reason for the law was a series of accidents involving illegal immigrant truck drivers over the past four months, which resulted in six deaths.

Setback for Punjabis: Over 1,800 drivers lose jobs after US cancels licences over rising traffic fatalities

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