The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently conducted an “Operation Highway Sentinel” on California highways, arresting over a hundred illegal immigrant truck drivers.
The detainees were all illegal immigrants from India, Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Russia, Georgia, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Honduras. ICE stated that the target of their recent operation in central and northern California was freight companies suspected of engaging in criminal activities. These activities include human trafficking, labor trafficking, drug smuggling, and theft of goods in the trucking industry.
The 101 illegal immigrant truck drivers captured in this operation by ICE will face immigration proceedings. Tatum King, the head of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco office, emphasized the enforcement action against illegal immigrant truck drivers in the Central Valley of California to prevent tragedies from occurring again for public safety.
California Governor Gavin Newsom had approved a policy allowing illegal immigrants to apply for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), resulting in a series of fatal accidents. Federal authorities criticized Newsom’s policy, stating that it endangers American lives by issuing CDLs to thousands of illegal immigrants, some of whom lack English and road sign comprehension.
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan condemned Newsom’s sanctuary state policy, accusing it of putting Americans’ lives at risk. Sheahan highlighted ICE’s efforts, similar to operations in Oklahoma and Indiana, to remove dangerous illegal immigrant truck drivers from roads, ensuring California streets’ safety.
According to ICE’s press release, criminal illegal immigrants driving commercial vehicles in the U.S. have caused fatal accidents in states like California, Florida, and Oregon, resulting in the loss of “eight innocent lives.” ICE blamed California, under Newsom’s leadership, for issuing CDLs to thousands of illegal immigrants, including some lacking English and road sign understanding.
Additionally, ICE conducted similar operations targeting illegal immigrants in Indiana, New York, and Oklahoma, arresting over two hundred illegal immigrant truck drivers holding CDLs. Earlier this year, a tragic accident on a Florida highway involved an Indian citizen holding a California-issued CDL, causing multiple fatalities when attempting an illegal U-turn.
Florida Attorney General’s Office reported that the driver, Harjinder Singh, failed CDL tests multiple times within two months and eventually obtained a license in Washington State in 2023 before acquiring a CDL in California. Singh’s improper U-turn caused a deadly collision that claimed three lives. Officials investigating the crash stated Singh failed English and road sign exams.
The Washington state company providing CDL training to Singh confirmed his English proficiency, though his speaking skills were limited. Despite this, both Washington and California issued him CDLs. The Florida Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against the two states for failing to comply with federal safety and immigration requirements, seeking to halt CDL issuance to illegal immigrants.
Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) are federally and state-regulated permits requiring applicants to provide lawful residency documentation. Effective year-end 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation introduced new regulations mandating CDL applicants who are non-residents to present valid passports and clear categories of immigrant visas, excluding those with work permits (EAD) or illegal residency.