A recent two-day crackdown in Oklahoma resulted in the arrest of 70 undocumented immigrants, including 34 individuals operating semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on November 4.
Conducted in partnership with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol from October 28–29, the operation is part of ICE’s ongoing Operation Guardian, which focuses on undocumented truck drivers who obtained commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) in states with so-called sanctuary policies, such as California, Illinois, and New York.
Sanctuary jurisdictions are known for limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, often declining to assist authorities in applying immigration laws. Of the 34 truck drivers detained in Oklahoma, 26 had CDLs issued under these policies, while eight were operating commercial vehicles without proper authorization, posing serious road safety risks.
The detainees represented 15 different countries, including China, Mexico, Turkey, Colombia, India, Guatemala, and Venezuela. ICE stressed that undocumented operation of commercial vehicles creates a public safety concern and undermines legal standards, sending a firm signal that such violations will not be tolerated.
Operation Guardian, initiated in February under the oversight of Oklahoma’s Commissioner of Public Safety, Tim Tipton, leverages existing state and federal laws to transfer undocumented drivers into deportation proceedings.
Governor Kevin Stitt praised the effort, saying, “Operation Guardian continues to protect Oklahomans. To drive a commercial motor vehicle legally in Oklahoma, you must have lawful status and be proficient in English. These are reasonable rules we will enforce consistently.”
In April, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring all commercial drivers to demonstrate English proficiency.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained, “Communication issues between truckers are a major concern. We want to ensure the backbone of our economy—the trucking workforce—can communicate effectively and safely.”
This operation reflects broader nationwide enforcement efforts. On October 30, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported the arrest of 223 undocumented immigrants, including 146 truck drivers along highways in Indiana near the Illinois border.
Many of these individuals had engaged in criminal activities such as drug trafficking, assault, child abuse, domestic battery, DUI, and fraud. Over 40 of the drivers had CDLs issued in states like New York, California, and Illinois.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “Too many innocent Americans have lost their lives due to undocumented truck drivers. Yet sanctuary states continue to issue commercial licenses to individuals here illegally. The Trump Administration is taking action to stop this chaos.”
The risks are not hypothetical. In August, an undocumented truck driver from India caused a fatal accident in Florida when he made an illegal U-turn in an 18-wheeler, killing three people. He pleaded not guilty in September.
Tighter CDL Regulations
Following a nationwide audit on September 26, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revealed widespread illegal issuance of CDLs to foreign nationals.
In response, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced emergency regulations that make undocumented noncitizens ineligible for nondomiciled CDLs unless they satisfy stricter federal requirements, including verification of immigration status through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system.
Duffy commented, “What our investigation uncovered should alarm every American. Dangerous individuals are being licensed to drive massive 80,000-pound trucks—often illegally. This directly threatens public safety. These measures will prevent unauthorized drivers from renewing licenses and hold states accountable for improperly issued CDLs.”
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants criticized the decision, warning it could disrupt the trucking industry and adversely affect immigrant drivers. They noted that foreign-born workers make up about 18% of the trucking workforce, filling essential roles in a demanding sector facing chronic labor shortages.
At a press conference on October 30, Duffy added that the Department of Transportation may withhold federal funding from states that continue issuing nondomiciled CDLs to undocumented immigrants. He emphasized that English proficiency remains a critical requirement for operating commercial vehicles safely.