30 Indian truck drivers arrested for living & working in US illegally, to be deported

Thirty Indian nationals living in the United States illegally and working as commercial truck drivers have been arrested as part of a federal enforcement operation and are set to face deportation proceedings. US authorities said 52 individuals were arrested during Operation Checkmate, conducted between May 11 and May 15 in Arizona’s Yuma Sector. Among them were 36 semi-truck drivers, including 30 Indian nationals.

According to US Customs and Border Protection, the operation was aimed at identifying and arresting individuals living in the country illegally while operating commercial motor vehicles. Authorities said the arrested drivers came from India, Mexico, El Salvador and Russia. Some possessed commercial driver’s licenses issued by states including California, New York, Washington and Virginia, while others did not have any valid driver’s license.

Officials stated that many of those arrested held employment authorization documents that had been issued earlier but were no longer valid. Authorities said all individuals were processed under federal law and would be deported. The identities of the arrested individuals were not disclosed by US authorities.

Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle said Operation Checkmate was designed to improve public safety by enforcing immigration laws against individuals operating commercial vehicles while unlawfully present in the United States. Authorities stated that federal agents continue to monitor commercial transportation routes and take enforcement action against violations involving immigration status and commercial driving regulations.

The arrests come amid increased scrutiny of commercial vehicle operators following several fatal road accidents involving Indian-origin truck drivers in the United States. US authorities have also introduced measures aimed at preventing unqualified foreign nationals from obtaining commercial driving licenses. Officials said the enforcement effort forms part of broader initiatives focused on road safety and immigration compliance.