U.S. Arrests 30 Indian Nationals With Commercial Licenses in Major Border Patrol Operation

U.S. border agents have detained 30 Indian nationals who lived in the country illegally and drove semitrucks with commercial driver’s licenses. The arrests were made between November 23 and December 12 in California. Agents stopped the trucks on highways and at immigration checkpoints. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the goal was to protect roads and enforce federal law.

The case matters because officials linked several deadly truck crashes to unlicensed or undocumented drivers. According to Reuters, federal agencies began wider patrols after these fatal events. The new operation also targeted trucking companies in Southern California.

U.S. Border Arrests With Commercial Driver’s Licenses

CBP said 49 undocumented drivers with commercial licenses were arrested during routine stops and joint operations. Most arrests took place in the El Centro Sector in California. The agency said 42 drivers were caught while driving semitrucks on major roads or crossing checkpoints.

Of the 49 arrested, 30 were from India. Others came from El Salvador, China, Eritrea, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Russia, Somalia, Turkey, and Ukraine. CBP said 31 licenses were issued in California. The rest came from states including Florida, Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey.

Agents also joined Operation Highway Sentinel on December 10 and 11. This was a large enforcement effort led by Homeland Security Investigations. It focused on trucking firms in Ontario and Fontana in California. The action led to 45 arrests over two days. Six of those arrested were Indian nationals.

Federal officials said the operation began after several deadly crashes involved undocumented truck drivers. They said the checks help stop unsafe trucking and prevent more loss of life.

Why the Arrests Raise Safety Concerns Nationwide

The arrests come after a series of highway crashes involving undocumented Indian truck drivers. These cases happened in California and Florida. Each accident left people dead or critically hurt. According to AP News, similar cases raised concerns about licensing oversight.

In one case, a 32-year-old driver was charged after two people died when their car hit his semitruck. In another, a driver was arrested after three deaths in Florida. Another accident in California left a 5-year-old girl with life-changing injuries. These cases led federal agencies to tighten checks on commercial transports.

Officials said some states issued commercial licenses to people who should not have received them. They said this failure put the public at risk. Agencies now plan to continue large-scale inspections in 2025. They said they want safer roads and stronger background checks.

Federal agencies say the rise in undocumented commercial drivers is a threat to road safety. They plan to keep these checks active. The arrests show how the U.S. is tightening control over commercial trucking rules and border laws.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why were the Indian truck drivers arrested?

They were arrested for living in the U.S. illegally and driving semitrucks with commercial licenses. Agents found them during highway stops and checkpoint inspections.

Q2: What is Operation Highway Sentinel?

It is a joint enforcement effort led by Homeland Security Investigations. It targets trucking firms and undocumented drivers to improve road safety.

Q3: How many undocumented drivers were arrested?

CBP reported 49 arrests in recent weeks. Thirty of them were Indian nationals.

Q4: Why are these arrests a safety issue?

Several fatal crashes involved undocumented truck drivers. Officials say proper checks could have prevented the accidents.

Q5: Which states issued the commercial licenses?

Most licenses came from California. Others came from Florida, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, and more.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, AP News, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations