Beginning in the 1980s, many Punjabi Sikh immigrants entered American long-haul trucking after fleeing anti-Sikh violence in India. They grew to represent a significant share of California’s commercial driving workforce, helping move goods across the country. Many rapidly became independent truck owners and large fleet operators and it is estimated that Punjabis now make up almost 20% of the U.S. trucking industry. Along major interstate corridors, a self-sustaining network of Punjabi-owned gas stations, convenience stores, and roadside dhabas emerged to support these drivers. The phenomenon demonstrated how an immigrant community could build economic opportunity while playing a vital role in sustaining America’s domestic supply chain.
