Trucks continue their journey along Highway 99 in California, bustling with freight as they traverse the Central Valley. Behind the wheel, you’ll often find Sikh men wearing turbans, with their cabs decorated with religious symbols, images of Sikh Gurus, or posters of Punjabi artists.
Sikhs, a religious minority from India, have become a significant presence in the American trucking sector, essential for transporting various goods like California strawberries and lumber nationwide.
However, a tragic accident in Florida and its implications have raised concerns within the Sikh trucking community, potentially affecting their economic stability.
With around 750,000 Sikhs in the U.S. and approximately 150,000 employed in trucking, mainly as drivers, their impact is clear from truck names such as Singh Trucking and Punjab Trucking, as well as the presence of curry at rest stops along the West Coast, where about 40% of truckers are Sikh, according to the North American Punjabi Trucking Association.
Many Sikh drivers possess limited English skills but significant driving experience. This has placed them in a challenging situation as the Trump administration has begun to impose stricter language requirements for commercial drivers. In response, several Sikh temples are providing language classes to help drivers pass necessary tests.
Tejpaul Singh Bainiwal, a volunteer at a Sikh temple in Stockton, California, shared, “Many drivers stayed home out of fear due to the new regulations. We initiated the classes in mid-July to support their return to work.”
A Tragic Accident Shakes the Industry
On August 12, Harjinder Singh, an Indian-born truck driver, executed a U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, resulting in a collision with a minivan that claimed three lives.
The Department of Homeland Security alleges that he unlawfully entered the U.S. from Mexico in 2018 and acquired a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in California, despite lacking legal residency and failing an English proficiency assessment. However, California officials contend they were informed by federal authorities that he had a valid work permit when his license was issued.
Harjinder now faces charges of manslaughter and vehicular homicide, with his arraignment scheduled for late September. The incident has triggered widespread repercussions for Sikh truckers.
Following the accident, Secretary of State Marco Rubio halted the approval of work visas for foreign applicants aspiring to become commercial truckers in the U.S. Reports indicate a rise in harassment directed at Sikh drivers as well.
Raman Singh Dhillon, CEO of the North American Punjabi Trucking Association, noted that many drivers now fear becoming targets of discrimination. “Sikh drivers are experiencing harassment at truck stops, and in certain instances, local law enforcement has been unresponsive,” he stated.
Learning in Sacred Spaces
Raman Singh Dhillon stressed the importance of a thorough investigation into how commercial driving licenses are granted to those who do not meet the English proficiency requirements. Meanwhile, English language training for drivers is primarily being conducted by Sikh community members, including classes in temples throughout California.
Harinder Singh from the Sikh Research Institute echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that English proficiency is crucial for integration, and advocated for government-supported programs to aid immigrants in learning English.
Volunteers like Arshveer Singh Sandhu have been offering English lessons to drivers at Guru Nanak Parkash, focusing on essential communication skills related to driving, inspections, and emergency situations.
The initiative is yielding positive outcomes, as Harpreet Singh, a 38-year-old Sikh driver, shared that the program has greatly improved his confidence in English and enhanced his understanding of highway signs.
