ICE and Oklahoma Highway Patrol Conduct Joint Operation Leading to 120 Arrests of Illegal Aliens
In an enforcement sweep spanning from September 22 to 25 along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) collaborated with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), culminating in the apprehension of 120 individuals in violation of immigration laws.
This initiative showcased the efficacy of ICE’s 287(g) program, enabling local law enforcement to assist in identifying and detaining undocumented individuals. In their focused traffic enforcement efforts, OHP initiated approximately 520 interactions that prompted ICE officers to perform records checks on the foreign-born nationals they encountered.
Among those arrested:
- Ninety-one individuals were found operating commercial motor vehicles equipped with Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). The nationalities of these drivers included 39 from India, 12 from China, 13 from Uzbekistan, alongside others from Russia, Georgia, and Türkiye. Many were in the U.S. illegally, had pending asylum claims, or were overstays. Notably, these licenses were predominantly issued by states known for more progressive immigration policies—California (44), New York (14), Pennsylvania (12), and Illinois (11), with additional licenses from states like New Jersey and Florida.
- Twenty-seven arrests were made from passenger vehicles during routine traffic stops. This group primarily comprised individuals from Mexico (15) and Guatemala (10), with other arrests including nationals from China and Cuba. Among them, 17 had entered the country illegally, nine had prior deportations (six of which occurred multiple times), and one individual had previously been denied entry via a visa. Alarmingly, 23 of these individuals had arrived in the U.S. during the timeline of 2020 to 2024.
- Two arrests stemmed from a marijuana grow operation in the vicinity.
Alarmingly, many of those detained carried serious criminal records, including multiple offenses such as DUI, unlawful reentry, money laundering, human smuggling, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, and possession of controlled substances.
This operation sheds light on the potential threats posed by uncontrolled illegal immigration, particularly when it involves individuals behind the wheel of large commercial vehicles on American highways.
In a press release, ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan commended this partnership, remarking, “The 287(g) program vividly demonstrates how federal and state law enforcement can join forces to enhance public safety in America. Illegal aliens have no place driving 18-wheelers on our roads. With their removal, we have improved highway safety. We advocate for more state and local law enforcement agencies to adopt 287(g) agreements; it’s a win-win, securing public safety while providing fiscal reimbursement opportunities to our partners.”
As mentioned in the release, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has initiated emergency actions to tighten regulations surrounding CDL issuance to non-citizens, mandating stricter criteria including employment-based visas and federal immigration verification through the SAVE system.
“What our investigation has revealed should cause concern for every American,” Duffy stated in the release.
Duffy elaborated, “Issuing licenses for operating massive, 80,000-pound trucks to dangerous foreign drivers—often obtained under dubious circumstances—poses a significant risk to families on our roads. I refuse to accept this threat. Today’s measures will ensure that unsafe foreign drivers cannot renew their licenses and hold states accountable for invalidating improperly issued credentials.”
Actions like these are essential in addressing the Biden administration’s border policies, which critics argue have opened pathways for countless individuals—many of whom were able to secure licenses despite not having full legal status.
