30 Indian Nationals Among 52 Arrested in US Crackdown on Illegal Truck Drivers
US authorities have arrested around 30 Indian nationals found to be living illegally in the country and working as commercial truck drivers as part of a federal enforcement operation aimed at strengthening immigration and public safety measures.
According to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) , Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector in Arizona arrested 52 individuals during "Operation Checkmate" conducted between May 11 and 15. The operation targeted undocumented migrants operating commercial motor vehicles across the region.
Of those arrested, 36 were found driving semi-trucks . Thirty of them were Indian nationals, while the remaining six were from Mexico, El Salvador and Russia. Authorities said some possessed commercial driver's licenses issued by states including California, New York, Washington and Virginia, while others had no valid licenses.
Officials noted that many of the arrested individuals carried employment authorization documents obtained during the previous administration, but those documents were no longer valid. All have been processed under federal immigration laws and are expected to face deportation.
"Operation Checkmate reflects our commitment to safeguarding communities and roads from unlawfully present drivers who pose significant risks to public safety," said Dustin Caudle, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the Yuma Sector .
The arrests underscore the United States' continuing crackdown on illegal immigration and undocumented labor networks , particularly in industries dependent on commercial transportation. The operation also aligns with broader efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump to tighten immigration enforcement and prevent unqualified foreign nationals from obtaining commercial driving credentials.
Federal authorities have linked the initiative to road safety concerns , citing recent cases involving foreign-born commercial drivers charged in fatal traffic accidents across the country.