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Commenting on the outcome, CBP leadership stated that the results underscore ongoing risks linked to earlier lapses in border enforcement
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Authorities reiterated their commitment to interagency cooperation to prevent similar incidents and to uphold safety and regulatory standards across the nation’s transportation networks
U.S. border enforcement agencies have arrested dozens of undocumented immigrants working as commercial truck drivers in California, including a significant number of Indian nationals, as part of intensified efforts to address immigration violations and highway safety concerns.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol agents operating in the El Centro Sector of California detained 49 undocumented individuals found in possession of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) during vehicle stops at immigration checkpoints and coordinated interagency operations. These arrests occurred between November 23 and December 12, as agents monitored interstate highways and key transit corridors frequently used by commercial vehicles.
Of the 42 individuals apprehended while actively operating semitrucks, 30 were Indian nationals. The remaining detainees included individuals from countries such as El Salvador, China, Eritrea, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Russia, Somalia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Authorities noted that many of the drivers were traveling long distances on major highways or attempting to pass through immigration checkpoints when they were stopped.
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Operation Highway Sentinel was launched in response to several fatal traffic accidents involving undocumented drivers operating heavy commercial vehicles
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Officials emphasized that the operation aimed to strengthen immigration enforcement, improve public safety on U.S. highways, and ensure compliance within the commercial transportation industry
CBP officials also revealed that the commercial driver’s licenses held by the detained individuals had been issued by multiple U.S. states. California accounted for the largest number of licenses, with others originating from Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Investigators are continuing to examine how the licenses were obtained and whether regulatory gaps were exploited.
In a related development, Border Patrol agents from the Indio Station took part in a large-scale, two-day enforcement initiative known as Operation Highway Sentinel on December 10 and 11. The operation, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, focused on commercial trucking companies in Ontario and Fontana, California. The initiative resulted in 45 additional arrests of undocumented individuals holding CDLs.
