Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jun 2: Around 30 Indian nationals living illegally in the United States and working as commercial truck drivers have been arrested in a federal immigration enforcement operation and are set to be deported.
The arrests were made during ‘Operation Checkmate’, conducted by Border Patrol agents in Arizona's Yuma Sector between May 11 and 15. According to a statement issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), authorities detained 52 undocumented individuals, including 36 found operating semi-trucks.
Of the 36 truck drivers arrested, 30 were Indian nationals, while the remaining six were citizens of Mexico, El Salvador and Russia.
Officials said the individuals possessed commercial driver's licences issued by states including California, New York, Washington and Virginia, although some did not have valid driving documents.
According to authorities, most of those arrested had employment authorisation documents issued during the administration of former US President Joe Biden, but the permits had expired and were no longer valid.
All those detained are being processed under federal immigration laws and will be deported, officials said.
Operation Checkmate is aimed at enforcing immigration regulations and identifying undocumented individuals operating commercial vehicles across the country.
“Operation Checkmate reflects our commitment to safeguarding communities and roads from unlawfully present drivers who pose significant risks to public safety,” Dustin Caudle, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the US Border Patrol's Yuma Sector, said in a statement.
He added that federal agents conduct patrols daily to prevent such individuals from operating on American roads and to reduce the risk of serious accidents.
The crackdown comes amid tighter scrutiny of foreign commercial drivers under the administration of US President Donald Trump. The US Department of Transportation recently issued an order aimed at preventing unqualified foreign nationals from obtaining licences to operate commercial trucks and buses.
In recent months, several Indian-origin truck drivers in the United States have been arrested and charged in connection with fatal commercial vehicle crashes, prompting increased regulatory attention to the sector.