Last Updated:
The Florida crash, involving Harjinder Singh, has led to increased scrutiny and harassment of Sikh truck drivers in the US, sparking fears of a driver shortage.
AI-generated image used for representational purpose only
The deadly Florida crash, involving an Indian-origin truck driver, has had a ripple effect on Sikh truck drivers in the United States, including in California.
The crash has reportedly sparked backlash against Sikh drivers. Two weeks following the deadly crash, Secretary of State Marco Rubio paused work visas for foreign commercial drivers. Further, reports of harassment against Sikh drivers have increased lately, industry insiders told the BBC.
Recommended Stories
Highway 99 in California is a major freight route, often driven by Sikh truckers.
Gurpratap Singh Sandhu, who runs a trucking company in Sacramento, said his cousin, a US citizen and truck driver, was harassed last week in Florida because of his ethnicity.
“People honk at Sikh truckers or throw water bottles at truck stops. They’re being ridiculed and harassed. They’re being called by racial slurs, like ‘diaper-head’ and ‘towel-head’, referring to their turbans,” BBC quoted Gurpratap as saying. He worries about his drivers’ security.
Arjun Sethi, a law professor at George Washington University, said that netizens in the US and India, along with some politicians, have used this tragic event to unfairly blame the whole Sikh community. “This episode should be treated as a singular, tragic event and not be weaponized to target the entire Sikh community,” Arjun told the BBC. He also worries that rhetoric may lead to violence.
Sikhs play a significant role in the US trucking industry, transporting goods across the country.
According to a report in the BBC, around 150,000 of the 750,000 Sikhs in the US work in the trucking industry, mainly as drivers. In parts of the West Coast, Sikhs make up about 40% of the trucking workforce, according to the North American Punjabi Trucking Association. Many have years of driving experience but limited English skills.
Recent changes under the Trump administration to tighten English language requirements for commercial licenses have created challenges for these Sikh truckers. In response, Sikh temples in California have started offering language classes to help drivers meet the new standards.
Tejpaul Singh Bainiwal, a volunteer at a Sikh temple in Stockton, said some drivers stopped working out of fear. “Many drivers stayed home out of fear of the new laws. We started the class in mid-July to help them return to work,” he said.
Drivers are now learning basic English and traffic signs to stay compliant.
Tensions grew after a crash in Florida claimed three lives on August 12. Harjinder Singh faces three counts of vehicular homicide after allegedly making an illegal U-turn with his tractor-trailer in Fort Pierce on August 12, leading to a collision with a minivan.
The Department of Homeland Security claims he entered the US illegally in 2018 and failed an English test before getting a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in California. State officials say he held a valid work permit.
The accused truck driver has been denied bail.
Industry leaders fear that stricter rules and growing hostility may lead to serious driver shortage in the US.
About the Author
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18…Read More
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18… Read More
California, USA
September 14, 2025, 19:28 IST
Loading comments…
Read More
