DHS says the operation uncovered widespread criminal activity ranging from DUI and drug trafficking to assault, fraud, and child abuse.
Federal immigration authorities say more than 140 illegal immigrant truck drivers have been arrested in Indiana as part of a highway enforcement operation targeting public safety threats, in what officials described as a major step to remove unlicensed and undocumented commercial drivers from U.S. roads.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the results of the operation on Oct. 30, saying a joint effort between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Indiana State Police led to the arrest of 223 illegal immigrants near the Illinois state line, including 146 operating semi-trucks or other commercial vehicles.
“Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs,” Noem said in a statement. “And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos.”
The arrests followed a series of high-profile crashes across several states involving illegal immigrant truck drivers, prompting stepped-up federal and state coordination to remove what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as “illegal alien threats to public safety.”
Criminal activity associated with the 223 illegal immigrants arrested during the Indiana operation includes driving under the influence, drug trafficking, theft, burglary, assault, child abuse, domestic battery, prostitution, and fraud, according to the agency.
States Issued CDLs to Illegal Immigrants
More than 40 of the drivers arrested in Indiana held commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued by states including Illinois, California, and New York.
DHS said that recent investigations have uncovered a “disturbing pattern” of illegal immigrants driving commercial vehicles on U.S. roads, posing a threat to public safety.
“In recent weeks, we have seen illegal semi-truck drivers responsible for significant loss of life across the country,” ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said in a statement. “This was preventable, and that is precisely why we are working to ensure this doesn’t happen in Indiana or Illinois.”
By Tom Ozimek
