In a major enforcement action, officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) detained 120 undocumented people during a focused three-day operation. The large-scale sweep was carried out along Oklahoma’s Interstate 40, a key transportation route that connects multiple regions across the state, between September 22 and September 25.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Leads Three-Day Operation Along I-40
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the mission aimed to identify and remove individuals who posed threats to public safety. According to the agency’s statement, ICE conducted records checks on foreign-born nationals encountered by Oklahoma state troopers during their highway patrol duties. These checks revealed immigration violations involving numerous individuals operating commercial motor vehicles without proper authorization.
ICE and Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers took 120 individuals into custody and found that 91 of them were driving commercial trucks or large freight vehicles. Many of these drivers held commercial driver’s licenses, which raised serious safety concerns about unqualified or unauthorized drivers managing heavy vehicles on busy Oklahoma highways.
Officials designed the operation not only to detect immigration violations but also to enhance road safety across the state. By focusing on high-traffic corridors such as Oklahoma’s I-40, authorities aimed to prevent potential hazards linked to unlicensed or unverified drivers in control of large transport vehicles.
Criminal Records and Offenses Uncovered in Oklahoma Sweep
The enforcement sweep revealed that many of those arrested had prior criminal convictions in the United States. Some had records involving driving under the influence (DUI), human smuggling, illegal re-entry into the country after deportation, and even money laundering.
Officials also reported that several detained individuals had previous convictions for violent or high-risk offenses, including assault and conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs. In some cases, officers connected the suspects to possession of controlled substances or involvement in narcotics trafficking networks.
During the operation, law enforcement personnel also discovered that certain detainees had links to nearby illegal cannabis operations. Officers specifically arrested two individuals for allegedly managing an unlawful marijuana grow site in the Oklahoma region. These additional arrests highlighted how the highway enforcement effort exposed broader criminal activity beyond immigration violations alone.
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The discovery of multiple types of offenses underlined the coordinated nature of the mission. By bringing together federal immigration authorities and Oklahoma state troopers, the operation sought to identify overlapping violations of both immigration and criminal law. Officials stated that such cooperative enforcement improves community safety by addressing threats from individuals who are unlawfully present and simultaneously engaged in illegal conduct.
The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that these arrests were part of an ongoing national effort to target criminal activity among unauthorized immigrants operating in sectors that could endanger the public—particularly commercial transportation. The agency highlighted the importance of maintaining secure, regulated standards for those operating large trucks and commercial vehicles on public highways across Oklahoma and beyond.
Federal Agencies Emphasize Road Safety
Authorities called the three-day sweep a major success in improving highway safety and reducing risks from unauthorized drivers. Those found operating 18-wheelers or other heavy trucks without legal status or valid credentials were immediately detained.
The joint effort between ICE and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol showed how state and federal cooperation can tackle complex safety issues. During traffic patrols, officers conducted inspections and background checks that revealed immigration and criminal violations.
Officials clarified that the operation specifically targeted safety threats. Unverified commercial truck drivers on Oklahoma’s highways pose dangers to other motorists, as these vehicles require proper licensing and compliance with federal laws.
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ICE representatives said removing unauthorized and previously convicted drivers helps make roads safer. The agency encouraged more local departments in Oklahoma to join cooperation programs under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which supports joint enforcement efforts.
The Oklahoma enforcement sweep came shortly after another state’s DUI-related crash involving a repeatedly deported suspect, reigniting concerns about unlicensed or undocumented drivers.
Through this operation, Oklahoma law enforcement agencies strengthened their commitment to enforcing immigration and traffic safety laws. The 120 detained individuals are being processed under federal immigration procedures, as authorities continue verifying identities and criminal records.