Federal License Revocations Push Punjabi Truckers Into California Food Business

Karanveer Singh received an email in December 2025 stating his commercial driver’s license would become invalid after 60 days due to his immigration status. After a decade hauling produce, Singh used his life savings to purchase a used food truck. He now operates Ghar Di Roti, which sells Punjabi-style flatbreads, lentils, and goat curry at a gas station off Highway 99 in Merced County.

This business pivot mirrors a trend driven by federal immigration enforcement actions. The White House ordered California to cancel roughly 13,000 nondomiciled driver’s licenses earlier this month. The Department of Transportation reported that foreign-born individuals now account for 16% of all truckers in the United States. Many of these drivers are Punjabi Sikhs, a group that has worked in American agriculture and trucking for decades.

The number of Indian roadside eateries, known as dhabas, has grown rapidly since 2023. Dhabaroute, an online directory for these establishments, lists more than 150 such locations across the country, up from an estimated 40 in 2023. California leads with more than 30 locations, followed by Texas with more than 20. The I-5 corridor hosts one of the largest clusters of these restaurants, with additional presence on I-80, I-10, and I-40.

Raman Dhillon, who runs the North American Punjabi Trucking Assn., attributed the shift to licensing issues. He stated that many people who went out of business due to licensing problems started food trucks. Gurpal Singh Maan, 48, sold his trucking business in 2023 and opened Royal Chaat at exit 434 on I-5. His operation grew from a food truck to a sit-down restaurant. Maan noted that competitors entered the food industry specifically because of the recent federal crackdown on migrants.

Legal challenges to the license revocations are underway. The Sikh Coalition and Asian Law Caucus are suing the California DMV, alleging the state violated truck drivers’ rights when it revoked 17,000 licenses. The federal government has canceled more than 28,000 illegal foreign driver licenses nationwide and purged 9,500 truck training schools from its registry, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Punjabi drivers, many of whom wear turbans and beards as symbols of their faith, reported feeling targeted and worried about harassment by authorities.

The expansion of Indian highway dining faces economic headwinds. Fluctuating tariffs and record diesel prices have reduced the number of drivers on the road. Gurnam Singh, owner of Antelope Truck Stop in Wyoming, reported a 70% drop in sales this year. He noted that without highway traffic, customers do not visit dhabas. Rajvinder Singh, 43, opened his Desi Hut food trailer in Manteca last year. He receives 10 calls a week from former truck drivers looking to start similar businesses but warned that newcomers often underestimate startup costs. He said he knows at least 10 people who closed their businesses as quickly as they opened them.

Immigration concerns continue to influence hiring practices. Karanveer Singh said he now hires only U.S. passport holders to avoid potential issues with federal immigration officers near his location. Despite the challenges, Singh has diversified his business to include truck repair and wash services. He said he will not return to driving. Around 750,000 Punjabi Sikhs live in the United States, with about 150,000 working in trucking, mostly on the West Coast, according to the Sikh Coalition.