❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) arrested 120 illegal immigrants, most of whom held commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), during a joint operation.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE, OHP, and 120 illegal immigrants, including those with prior criminal convictions.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The operation took place from September 22-25 along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Illegal aliens have no business operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways. Our roads are now safer with these illegal aliens no longer behind the wheel.” – Madison Sheahan, ICE Deputy Director.
🎯IMPACT: The arrests disrupted criminal activity, removed public safety threats, and showcased cooperation between federal and local law enforcement.
A joint operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) late last month resulted in the arrest of an astounding number of illegal immigrants behind the wheel of commercial vehicles. According to federal and state law enforcement, 120 illegal immigrants—91 of whom were operating vehicles requiring commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs)—were arrested from September 22-25 along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma.
OHP made approximately 520 contacts, while ICE assisted by running records checks on foreign-born nationals encountered during routine patrol duties. Among those arrested, 27 migrants were stopped in passenger vehicles, and two were apprehended at a nearby marijuana growing operation.
ICE reported that the prior convictions among the arrested individuals included DUI, illegal reentry into the U.S., money laundering, human smuggling, assault, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and possession of controlled substances. Of the CDL holders arrested, 80 were in the U.S. through illegal entry, humanitarian parole, asylum claims, or pending immigration hearings.
The operation also revealed the countries of origin and states issuing the CDLs. India led with 39 CDL holders, followed by Uzbekistan with 13 and China with 12. The top five states issuing CDLs were California (44), New York (14), Pennsylvania (12), Illinois (11), and New Jersey (three).
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “ICE’s 287(g) program clearly demonstrates how federal and local law enforcement agencies can work together to make America safe again.”
Sheahan also encouraged more state and local law enforcement agencies to participate in the program to enhance public safety and access reimbursement funds for their efforts, adding, “Illegal aliens have no business operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways. Our roads are now safer with these illegal aliens no longer behind the wheel.”
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