U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more than 100 illegal truck drivers in California during Operation Highway Sentinel. Officials launched the operation after deadly crashes in multiple states involving drivers licensed in California. Authorities said the arrests targeted illegal commercial truck drivers operating large vehicles on major highways. The fatal incidents raised serious concerns about licensing practices and road safety.
Operation Highway Sentinel targets illegal truck drivers and road safety risks
ICE stated that Operation Highway Sentinel was designed to remove unsafe and unauthorized truck drivers from U.S. roads. Investigators focused on individuals driving commercial vehicles without legal immigration status. In some cases, these drivers also failed to meet federal safety standards.
According to ICE, many of the arrested truck drivers had received CDLs from California. This happened despite federal requirements that drivers must understand English well enough to read road signs and communicate with law enforcement. Officials said some drivers struggled to meet these basic standards.
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The operation also targeted trucking companies suspected of illegal practices. ICE said some companies may knowingly hire illegal truck drivers. These drivers are easier to exploit, accept lower pay, or are less likely to report unsafe working conditions.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said criminal networks have linked parts of the trucking industry to activities such as human smuggling, labor trafficking, drug trafficking, and cargo theft. Investigators believe these networks may use unauthorized truck drivers or draw them into illegal operations.
During the California sweep, ICE arrested 101 illegal truck drivers from several countries. These included India, Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Russia, Georgia, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Honduras. ICE emphasized that the arrests were based on immigration violations and safety concerns, not nationality. Officials confirmed that all arrested truck drivers are being held by ICE while immigration proceedings move forward.
Deadly crashes prompt legal and enforcement action
Several deadly accidents involving illegal truck drivers played a major role in triggering the California operation. Federal authorities said these crashes showed a clear pattern of risk that could no longer be ignored.
One of the most serious cases occurred in Florida earlier this year. Investigators said an Indian national working as a commercial truck driver caused a fatal highway crash while operating an 18-wheeler. The crash happened when the driver attempted an illegal U-turn, causing the truck to jackknife across the road.
A van crashed into the side of the truck, killing three people. Investigators said the truck driver failed English language and road sign tests and struggled to communicate effectively. Officials also said the driver had failed his CDL test multiple times before finally receiving a license.
The driver first received a CDL from Washington State and later obtained another license from California. Investigators said the training company claimed the truck driver could speak English, even though officials later said his skills were limited.
Following the crash, the Florida Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Supreme Court against California and Washington. The lawsuit seeks to stop both states from issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants and accuses them of failing to follow federal safety and immigration rules.
ICE cites repeated fatalities linked to illegal truck drivers
Federal officials said the case was not isolated, noting that multiple states reported other deadly crashes involving illegal truck drivers, which reinforced concerns that unsafe licensing practices were putting lives at risk nationwide.
HSI Special Agent in Charge Tatum King said federal agencies launched enforcement operations to prevent further tragedies involving commercial truck drivers. He said the goal was to protect the public by ensuring that only qualified and legally authorized drivers operate large commercial vehicles.
ICE also confirmed that similar enforcement operations have already taken place in states such as Indiana, New York, and Oklahoma. Those efforts led to the arrest of more than 200 undocumented truck drivers who were also issued CDLs.
California officials have been contacted for comment, but no response has been released so far. ICE said Operation Highway Sentinel focused on public safety and accountability, especially after repeated deadly crashes involving illegal truck drivers highlighted serious gaps in oversight.
Federal authorities reiterated that the operation was necessary to reduce risks on U.S. highways and prevent further loss of life linked to unsafe and unauthorized drivers operating heavy commercial vehicles.