ICE arrests 2 illegal alien CDL operators in New Jersey during separate targeted enforcement actions

NEWARK, N.J. - ICE arrested two illegal aliens at two different locations in New Jersey during operations in support of the Department of Homeland Security's nationwide effort to crack down on fraudulent commercial driver's license practices that put American lives in danger.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark officers arrested Zokhid Zakhidov, 37, in Woodbridge and Khayrullo Payzullaev, 30, in Hamilton Aug. 23. Both men are Uzbek citizens.

"Our field office is fully aligned with DHS' commitment to enforcing our immigration laws and Secretary Mullin's focus on protecting our communities and keeping dangerous individuals off our roadways," said ICE Newark Field Office Director Arthur Wilson. "Every day, ICE officers in New Jersey are dedicated to identifying, arresting and removing individuals who are unlawfully present and who endanger the American people."

Zakhidov, who was in possession of a New York commercial learner permit is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. His criminal history includes a conviction of driving while intoxicated in New York on May 15, and he has pending charges for assault with intent to cause physical injury and harassment dating back to Jan. 26. Police in Cranbury arrested Zakhidov as a fugitive from justice on April 28.

Payzullaev was in possession of a non-domiciled Pennsylvania commercial driver's license. A Department of Justice immigration judge in Philadelphia ordered Payzullaev detained July 21. He remains in ICE custody pending removal.

In July, DHS and the Department of Transportation announced a partnership to crack down on fraudulent and illegal practices in CDL schools across the country. ICE officers in New Jersey are certified by the Department of Transportation to recognize fraudulent CDL operators.

Under President Trump, Secretary Mullin and acting ICE Director David J. Venturella's leadership, ICE is once again focused on enforcing the law, protecting the public and removing dangerous individuals from our communities.