Immigration Enforcement Operation in Oklahoma

A recent immigration enforcement initiative in Oklahoma has led to the arrest of numerous individuals, including 34 undocumented truck drivers, as reported by ICE.

Concerns regarding road safety and national security have surfaced, particularly due to the increase of foreign drivers entering the U.S. trucking sector, a situation some attribute to the current administration’s relaxed border policies. This situation has intensified following several tragic accidents linked to undocumented drivers.

Dubbed “Operation Guardian,” the two-day sweep conducted along the Eastern Interstate 40 corridor in late October resulted in the apprehension of 70 undocumented individuals. Among those detained, 26 had commercial driver licenses (CDLs), while eight were operating vehicles without valid licenses.

This operation was a collaborative effort between ICE and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, falling under a 287(g) agreement that permits local law enforcement to tackle immigration infringements.

Marcos Charles, ICE’s executive associate director for removal operations, noted, “For the second time in a month, the State of Oklahoma and ICE have collaborated to enhance security on Oklahoma’s roads, aiming to find and detain undocumented individuals who have obtained commercial licenses improperly.” He added that many of those stopped did not possess the necessary English language proficiency.

Of the 70 arrested, 36 had prior criminal records, with offenses ranging from assault and battery to drunk driving. Additionally, two individuals were wanted internationally for fraud and robbery.

The detainees hailed from 15 different countries, including China, Colombia, and Mexico, among others. Notably, a similar crackdown in September saw 120 arrests, with 91 of those involved driving commercial vehicles.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, several states, including California and Illinois, have been involved in issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt remarked that “Operation Guardian is crucial for the safety of Oklahomans. To legally drive in Oklahoma, it’s essential to be here legally and to understand English.”