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🚨 DHS launches sweeping I-9 audits on California truck fleets

An unannounced Department of Homeland Security audit campaign is hitting trucking companies across Northern and Central California, and Punjabi-owned carriers appear to be the first one’s getting audited

The alert broke after Punjab Radio USA aired a detailed interview on November 28 with Harpreet Thera, a Sacramento area fleet owner who has been operating since 1997.

🔍 The “Surprise” Audit

Thera says DHS agents showed up everywhere except his office.

• First, they went to his home

• Then, they called his cell phone

• They even stated his exact location before confronting him in a Sacramento parking lot

Agents hand delivered a Notice of Inspection and gave him just three days to turn over I-9 forms for every employee for the past two years which would be more than 100 records.

Thera, who runs 100% W-2 drivers through BBSI to stay compliant with AB5, submitted everything the same day.

But DHS didn’t stop after the company complied with the audit.

📁 Escalation: Paperwork to Interviews

Agents selected 15 employees at random which were a mix of U.S. citizens, green card holders, and work permit drivers, and demanded their personal phone numbers for individual interviews. They told Thera the interviews may happen in person.

When he asked how many carriers were being targeted, the lead agent replied:

The agent also admitted this was his first audit of this type, signaling that the campaign is brand new and growing.

🧩 Why Now? Federal Pressure on California Trucking Is Stacking Up

This DHS campaign doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It follows months of federal activity aimed directly at California’s driver pool:

• 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs revoked in CA after FMCSA found the state wasn’t verifying legal residency

• 44,000 more CDLs still under review

• English language testing enforcement has already removed 7,248 drivers since June

• ICE workplace enforcement has jumped sharply, 77 NorCal trucking firms hit in the first half of 2025

Industry insiders say many smaller Punjabi carriers still run 1099 contractor models, which keeps rates low but exposes them to AB5 violations, and now, immigration audits.

📊 Why the Punjabi Trucking Community Is a Big Target

Punjabi/Sikh drivers are a foundational force in West Coast freight:

• 50,000–74,000 Punjabi/Sikh drivers and owners operate in California
  → roughly 40% of all long-haul drivers in the state

• 150,000–200,000 nationwide, controlling up to 20% of U.S. trucking companies

• NAPTA lists 1,400+ member fleets running over 9,000 trucks, only a fraction of the true community

A crackdown on this group is not a niche event. It affects lane capacity, spot markets, and labor availability across the entire Western U.S.

📣 California Chat Groups Are Talking

Thera’s interview is circulating fast.
Punjab Radio USA closed with a warning:

DHS has not announced the program publicly, and there is no official count of how many carriers have already been hit.

What do you think? I want to hear from you! For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444

Tale Lites Throwback

Check out a “new method” of moving tractors via flatbed from 1969!

🚨 FMCSA Wants to Put Actual Dollars on America’s Truck Parking Crisis

More than 10 years after Jason’s Law dragged the truck parking shortage into the national spotlight, the needle has moved, but only inches. NIMBYism (Not in my back yard) remains the enemy of solving the truck parking crisis.

Now the FMCSA is launching a new effort, which is one aimed at giving city councils and county commissioners something they can’t ignore: hard numbers. Hopefully with this effort coupled with our own at Truck Parking Club, real progress can be made.

Feds Finally Asking the Right Question:

“What is the monetary value of building more truck parking?”

On Nov. 28, FMCSA announced an upcoming study titled:
“Quantifying the Benefits of Creating New Truck Parking Spaces.”

The plan:

• Survey thousands of drivers

• Document how much time, fuel, and money gets wasted hunting for parking

• Measure the safety impact

• Put a dollar amount on what better parking infrastructure would save

Because right now, even though every driver in America knows this crisis is real, many local law/decision act like it’s optional.

🛑 NIMBYs Still Call the Shots

At the state level, DOTs have stepped up with new lots, expanded rest areas, and pilot programs.

But Public parking makes up less than 10% of all truck parking in the U.S.
Meaning most solutions require private investment, and private developers are running into the same brick wall: local NIMBYs who shut down truck stop proposals before they ever have a chance to start

It is ignorance that looks like hostility against truck drivers. Since working in advocacy I have learned most local/county officials simply don’t understand the economic and safety benefits that adequate truck parking brings.

💡 Turning “Driver Struggles” Into Hard Data

The study will dig into the real world issues drivers deal with every day:

• Unauthorized parking when no legal options exist

• Having to stop early to snag a spot

• Going off-route (burning fuel and hours-of-service) just for parking

• Stretching past HOS limits because there’s nowhere to pull off safely

The agency also wants answers to questions like:

• What are the most cost effective ways to add capacity?

• Which parking apps or info systems actually work?

• How many drivers pay for parking, make reservations, or use private services?

FMCSA believes that putting numbers to these behaviors could finally push local governments to approve projects they've been killing for years.

🏛️ Public Comment Window Is Open

FMCSA is accepting public input on the study’s data collection plan through January 27.

Drivers, owners, and carriers can submit comments, including suggestions on how to improve the study via Regulations.gov using docket number:
FMCSA-2025-0787

📩 Will you be leaving a comment?
Reply to this email or text (423) 275-2444 

Health Tip of the Week - 7 Ways Vitamin C can Benefit You

1. Start Your Shift With Vitamin C

A quick 250–500 mg dose in the morning helps support your immune system while you’re logging miles, especially during cold/flu season and winter runs.

2. Eat Your Vitamin C, Not just Supplement

Easy fast, trucker friendly foods loaded with Vitamin C:

• Mandarins / Cuties (cheap, clean, easy to peel)

• Red bell peppers (more Vit C than oranges, slice and snack)

• Kiwi (huge antioxidant punch)

• Strawberries (good with oatmeal or Greek yogurt cups)

These also keep you fuller and help improve recovery from long days sitting.

3. Pair Vitamin C With Protein

Vitamin C helps with collagen production, which is essential for:

• joint health

• tendon strength

• skin repair

• recovery from workouts

Pair it with:

• beef jerky

• Greek yogurt

• protein shakes

• chicken wraps

Easy win for drivers trying to avoid aches and pains.

4. Use Vitamin C to Fight Road Stress

Driving long hours builds oxidative stress (cell damage). Vitamin C = antioxidant = helps counter that.

Drivers who get enough tend to have:

• better energy

• fewer headaches

• improved focus

• better stress tolerance

5. Don’t Megadose, It Doesn’t Help

Overdoing it (1,500–3,000 mg) just gives you:

• stomach issues

• diarrhea

• wasted money

Stick with 250–500 mg once or twice a day, plus food sources.

6. Track Hydration, Vitamin C Works Better When You’re Hydrated

Drivers often underestimate dehydration.
Vitamin C is water-soluble → works best when you’re drinking enough water.
Aim for 48–64 oz/day (more if summer or running heavy miles).

7. Best Road Friendly Sources You Can Buy Anywhere

• 100% orange juice (small bottles from truck stops)

• Vitamin C packets (mix with water)

• Cuties

• Strawberries

• Pre-cut bell peppers

• Store-brand chewable tablets ($4–7)

Partner Post of the Week

Check out our Partner Tommy Dunn and his insight on the best trailer to buy if you’re starting a Hot Shot business. Use the promo code DUNN20 for $20 off your next booking!

@anotherdaydunn

What was your first trailer? #hotshot #sidehustles #hauling #trailerdealership

Truck Parking Club Partner Program

Do you create content for truckers, want to help solve the truck parking crisis, and an opportunity to give drivers FREE parking? Let’s work together! Click below to apply for Truck Parking Club’s Partner Program today!