ICE’s Operation Highway Sentinel resulted in the arrest of 101 undocumented commercial truck drivers in California after a series of fatal crashes involving drivers licensed in the state. Federal officials say the operation responded to multi‑state incidents that they say claimed eight lives and raised concerns about CDL issuance practices. The sweep targeted drivers and companies suspected of criminal activity; detainees will await immigration proceedings. The Florida Attorney General has also sued California and Washington after a high‑profile Florida crash tied to licensing questions.
ICE Arrests 101 Undocumented Truck Drivers In California Sweep After Deadly Multi‑State Crashes
ICE arrested more than 100 illegal alien truck drivers in California’s Operation Highway Sentinel following deadly crashes tied to state-issued CDLs.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it arrested 101 undocumented commercial truck drivers in a targeted enforcement action, Operation Highway Sentinel, carried out this week on California highways. Federal officials say the operation followed a string of fatal crashes in multiple states involving drivers who held commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued in California.
Operation Details And Federal Claims
ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said the sweep focused on drivers and trucking companies in central and northern California suspected of criminal activity. The agency said the effort was launched in response to several deadly collisions across states including California, Florida and Oregon, which federal officials contend have claimed eight lives.
ICE arrested more than 100 illegal alien truck drivers in California’s Operation Highway Sentinel following deadly crashes tied to state-issued CDLs.
"Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary state policies are costing American lives," ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said, adding that California issued thousands of CDLs to people who lack lawful status. Sheahan said federal teams are removing what they described as "dangerous" drivers from the nation’s roads.
ICE identified detainees as nationals of India, Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Russia, Georgia, Venezuela, El Salvador and Honduras.
HSI Statement
"This week HSI, along with our partners, conducted enforcement operations targeting illegal alien commercial truck drivers across California’s Central Valley in the interest of public safety," said Tatum King, Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Francisco.
The agency also warned that parts of the commercial trucking sector can be vulnerable to criminal organizations involved in human smuggling, labor trafficking, narcotics trafficking and cargo theft. ICE said all 101 individuals taken into custody will be held in immigration detention pending removal or other proceedings.
ICE arrested more than 100 illegal alien truck drivers in California’s Operation Highway Sentinel following deadly crashes tied to state-issued CDLs.
High‑Profile Florida Crash And Legal Action
The operation follows heightened scrutiny after a high‑profile crash in Florida earlier this year involving a driver identified as Harjinder Singh, an Indian national who reportedly held a U.S. CDL issued after multiple failed attempts. Florida authorities say Singh failed English and road‑sign tests and later allegedly jackknifed his 18‑wheeler while making an illegal U‑turn, causing a collision that killed three people.
In response, the Florida Attorney General filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to bar California and Washington from issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants, arguing both states failed to comply with federal safety and immigration‑status verification requirements.
ICE arrested more than 100 illegal alien truck drivers in California’s Operation Highway Sentinel following deadly crashes tied to state-issued CDLs.
Context And Previous Actions
ICE noted prior, similar enforcement operations in Indiana, New York and Oklahoma that it says resulted in more than 200 arrests of undocumented truck drivers and targeted companies. Fox News Digital and other outlets have reported on those operations; ICE has framed the actions as a national effort to address public‑safety concerns tied to CDL issuance and criminal activity within the trucking industry.
Fox News Digital reported it reached out to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office for comment; the article did not include a response at the time of publication.
Status: All 101 detainees are being held by ICE pending immigration proceedings, according to the agency.
