ICE and Oklahoma bolster public safety on state’s highways by removing 34 illegal alien truck drivers

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma - ICE and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a 287(g) partner, arrested 70 illegal aliens during a two-day special emphasis operation from Oct. 28 - 29, including 36 criminal aliens and 34 found violating state law by operating a semi-truck or commercial vehicle while in the U.S. illegally. Similar to other recent operations, "Operation Guardian" resulted in the arrest of many illegal aliens driving trucks that had been issued Commercial Drivers Licenses in states with sanctuary policies such as California, Illinois, and New York.

This effort led to the arrest of 70 illegal aliens, including 26 who had been issued a CDL and 8 other aliens who were dangerously driving a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver's license at all.

"For the second time in just the past month, the state of Oklahoma and ICE have banded together to bolster public safety along Oklahoma's highways, identifying and apprehending illegal aliens who are in the country illegally and have been recklessly issued a commercial driver's license by states like California, Illinois, and New Jersey," said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Executive Associate Director Marcos Charles. "Many of the illegal aliens arrested behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound tractor trailer can't even read basic English, endangering everyone they encounter on the roads."

"Operation Guardian continues to successfully keep Oklahomans safe," said Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. "To lawfully operate a commercial motor vehicle in Oklahoma, you must be here legally, and you must be able to understand English. These are common sense standards that we will continue to enforce."

The 36 criminal aliens arrested during the operation have been convicted of violent crimes and other criminal offenses that endanger public safety such as assault and battery, soliciting prostitution, and DUI, and two of the aliens arrested are wanted overseas for fraud and burglary. Three other aliens encountered during the operation were criminally arrested for obstruction and resisting arrest and immigration detainers were lodged with the Oklahoma County Jail.

The illegal aliens arrested during the operation originate from 15 different countries to include China, Colombia, Georgia, Guatemala, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.

This initiative is based on a 287(g) partnership between ICE and the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety's OHP and highlights the success possible when cities and states partner with ICE to make the Nation's communities and roads safer places.

ICE remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting American communities from those who break the law. Illegal aliens who engage in criminal activity or operate vehicles without proper authorization jeopardize public safety and undermine the rule of law. This operation sends a clear message that this will not be tolerated.