Federal and state authorities arrested almost 250 overseas industrial truck drivers in November alone, warning that cartel operatives and overseas nationals are exploiting America’s industrial driver licensing system to infiltrate freight corridors and endanger nationwide safety.
A nationwide crackdown on overseas drivers with Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) led to the apprehension of almost 250 drivers in Arizona, Indiana, Wyoming, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and even New York and California. The federally led operation adopted orders from President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to take away these often-dangerous drivers from American highways. Many of the drivers have been discovered to be illegally current within the United States.
- In Arizona, Border Patrol brokers arrested an Uzbekistani nationwide working a industrial automobile that resulted in a crash,
- In Indiana, DHS confirmed 146 truck drivers have been detained after a deadly crash involving a overseas CDL holder sparked outrage. Officials mentioned cartel networks have been “exploiting loopholes within the CDL system to maneuver contraband and operatives throughout interstate corridors.”
- In Wyoming, Operation Safe Haul (Nov. 18–20) resulted in 40 arrests and dozens of vehicles being pulled off the highway for security violations, together with inoperable brakes and falsified paperwork. ICE officers warned that “overseas nationals driving 40‑ton rigs with out correct vetting pose a direct homeland safety menace.”
- In Texas, 31 drivers have been arrested alongside I‑40 in Wheeler County, most of whom have been carrying California‑issued CDLs regardless of missing lawful residency. Gov. Greg Abbott blasted California’s licensing insurance policies, saying “cartel operatives are exploiting that loophole to drive via Texas unchecked.”
- In New York, Border Patrol brokers detained 30 drivers on the Thruway close to Buffalo, describing the arrests as proof of “a nationwide safety breach ready to occur.”
- More minor however excessive‑profile arrests in Kansas and California included suspects tied to terrorism investigations.
The crackdown is a part of President Trump’s broader deportation agenda, which goals to purge as much as 200,000 overseas CDL holders from the trucking trade. Homeland Security leaders argue that cartel networks and hostile actors may weaponize heavy vehicles or use them to smuggle contraband throughout crucial freight corridors.
An instance of the potential nationwide safety menace revealed itself with the arrest in Kansas on November 9 of an Uzbek nationwide who’s a member of a recognized terrorist group, Breitbart’s John Binder reported. ICE brokers arrested 31-year-old unlawful alien Akhror Bozorov as he operated a industrial automobile with a Pennsylvania-issued CDL. The driver, needed in his residence nation of Uzbekistan for terrorist actions, entered the U.S. illegally in February 2023 and was launched into the U.S. by the Biden administration.
“Not solely was Akhror Bozorov — a needed terrorist — launched into the nation by the Biden administration, however he was he was additionally given a industrial driver’s license by Governor Shapiro’s Pennsylvania,” Department of Homeland Security’s Tricia McLaughlin mentioned in a press release.
“This ought to go with out saying, however terrorist unlawful aliens shouldn’t be working 18-wheelers on America’s highways,” McLaughlin mentioned. “Biden and Mayorkas allowed numerous terrorists to come back into our nation. President Trump and Secretary Noem unleashed ICE to focus on these nationwide safety threats.”
A couple of days later, Breitbart Texas reported the arrest of one other Uzbek unlawful alien working a industrial automobile. Border Patrol brokers arrested the unlawful alien truck driver after he crashed into one other automobile on Interstate 10 close to Quartzsite, Arizona. Officials didn’t disclose his identify however revealed they discovered him carrying 5 totally different licenses from New York and Ohio.
He entered the U.S. illegally in April 2023, through the peak of the Biden border disaster and was launched into the U.S. An immigration decide ordered he be eliminated in July 2025, however he ignored the ruling.
In late November, Texas Governor Greg Abbott introduced the arrest of 31 unlawful alien truck drivers. He mentioned lots of the drivers have been holding licenses issued by the sanctuary state of California, Breitbart Texas reported.
“Millions of Texans drive on our highways, roads, and streets day by day,” mentioned Governor Abbott. “When unlawful immigrants break the regulation and illegally drive on our roads, they endanger the lives of numerous Texans and Americans.”
“While liberal states like California problem licenses to unlawful immigrants and danger the lives of Americans, Texas will work with our federal companions to take care of secure roads and apprehend unlawful immigrants to guard our communities,” the governor added.
The crackdown on unlawful aliens working industrial autos continues. Yuma Sector Border Patrol brokers arrested a 25-year-old Indian nationwide at an immigration checkpoint after discovering his New York-issued industrial license. Blythe Station Border Patrol brokers arrested the person who illegally entered the U.S. in 2023 and was launched into the U.S. by the Biden administration. Agents arrested the unlawful alien truck driver for inadmissibility and entered him into deportation proceedings, officers said.
The crackdown is a part of President Trump’s broader deportation agenda, which goals to purge as much as 200,000 overseas CDL holders from the trucking trade. Homeland Security leaders argue that cartel networks and hostile actors may weaponize heavy vehicles or use them to smuggle contraband throughout crucial freight corridors.
Critics warn the raids may disrupt provide chains and overwhelm immigration courts already flooded with detainee lawsuits. Supporters counter that the danger of cartel infiltration and terrorism outweighs financial considerations.
Despite federal judges blocking elements of Trump’s emergency rule, enforcement raids are increasing nationwide. DHS officers say the message is obvious: overseas CDL drivers are actually seen as a frontline nationwide safety menace.
Bob Price is the Breitbart Texas-Border group’s affiliate editor and senior information contributor. He is an unique member of the Breitbart Texas group. Price is an everyday panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday morning speak present. He additionally serves as president of Blue Wonder Gun Care Products.
