ICE detains Uzbekistan-born truck driver accused of terrorism links
Federal authorities announced on Monday that Akhror Bozorov, a 31-year-old native of Uzbekistan, was arrested on Nov. 9 while operating an 18-wheeler in Kansas following allegations by Uzbek authorities linking him to terrorist activity.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Uzbekistan issued a warrant for Bozorov in 2022 accusing him of membership in a designated terrorist organization and of posting online propaganda that encouraged jihad and recruited others. ICE said Bozorov entered the United States in February 2023 and was apprehended by Border Patrol at that time; federal authorities later released him into communities, and he was reportedly granted employment authorization in January 2024. He also obtained a Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
ICE confirmed the Nov. 9 arrest and said it is coordinating with partner agencies while the investigation continues. Authorities have not publicly detailed any U.S. charges; the allegations stem from Uzbek law enforcement and are part of ongoing inquiries.
Statement: Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the prior release and licensing of the individual, saying federal and state policies should ensure that national security risks are addressed. "Terrorist illegal aliens should not be operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways," McLaughlin said in a statement attributed to DHS.
The arrest has renewed debate over immigrant access to state-issued driving credentials, particularly commercial licenses. Pennsylvania allows certain noncitizens with temporary or permanent status to obtain state driver’s licenses, a policy that has been politically contested in the state legislature.
Separately, federal officials have recently reviewed commercial licensing rules following a fatal tractor-trailer crash in Fort Pierce, Florida, that involved an undocumented driver; efforts to tighten those rules were blocked by a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.
Note: The allegations against Bozorov come from Uzbek authorities and ICE statements. Legal processes and any eventual charges in the United States will determine criminal liability; reporting reflects accusations and official actions as of the latest updates.
