Intensified DHS Audits in California Trucking Sector
Agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are actively conducting extensive workplace audits at trucking companies throughout Northern and Central California, particularly targeting Punjabi-owned businesses. This information was detailed in a segment broadcast on November 28 by Punjab Radio USA.
Harpreet Thera, the proprietor of a mid-sized trucking fleet that has been in operation since 1997, recounted that DHS served him with a Notice of Inspection while he was at a dental appointment in Sacramento. The agents first came to his residence, then called his cellphone to pinpoint his location before meeting him in a parking lot to deliver the notice in person.
The notice required Thera to provide I-9 employment eligibility forms for all current and former employees from the past two years, totaling over 100 records. In compliance with California’s AB5 law, Thera, who uses BBSI for payroll and employs only W-2 drivers, submitted the requested documents on the same day.
The audit escalated further as DHS agents selected 15 employees—including U.S. citizens, green card holders, and work-permit drivers—for individual interviews and requested their personal phone numbers. The agents informed Thera that these interviews might take place in person.
During the notice handoff, the lead agent explained that this initiative is part of a broader campaign. When Thera inquired about the number of companies being targeted, the agent responded, “We are auditing all companies in Northern California.” This was reportedly the agent’s first such audit, indicating that the campaign may still be gaining momentum.
Increased Federal Scrutiny on California’s Trucking Industry
The audits are part of a larger trend of increasing federal scrutiny on California’s trucking industry. Recently, the FMCSA revoked 17,000 non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) held by foreign nationals due to failures in verifying residency. An additional 44,000 licenses are still under review. Furthermore, a reinstated English-language proficiency requirement for CDL holders has resulted in 7,248 drivers being removed from the road since June.
ICE enforcement actions at workplaces in California saw a significant rise in 2025, with 77 Northern California trucking companies facing inspections in just the first six months of the year. Industry insiders note that many smaller Punjabi carriers continue to operate using 1099 independent contractors, which helps keep costs lower but also exposes them to risks related to AB5 labor laws and federal immigration audits.
In California, there is an estimated population of 50,000 to 74,000 Punjabi/Sikh truck drivers and owner-operators, representing nearly 40% of the state’s long-haul driver workforce. Nationwide, the Punjabi/Sikh trucking community consists of approximately 150,000 to 200,000 drivers and owners, making up about 20% of U.S. trucking companies, despite constituting only 4-5% of the total driver workforce.
Community Response and Recommendations
The North American Punjabi Trucking Association (NAPTA) reports over 1,400 member companies managing more than 9,000 trucks, which is only a small fraction of the larger community. Thera’s story has quickly circulated among California trucking chat groups, and Punjab Radio USA concluded their segment by advising business owners to promptly review their records, cautioning that “they are auditing all of them” in Northern California.
As of now, DHS has not made any public announcements regarding this audit campaign nor released information on the number of companies that have been served.
