A two-day special emphasis operation, “Operation Guardian,” led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), resulted in the arrest of 70 illegal aliens, with a significant focus on commercial vehicle operators violating state law.
The operation, which took place from October 28–29, targeted illegal aliens operating commercial motor vehicles and those with criminal backgrounds.
Of the 70 arrested, 34 were found to be driving semi-trucks or commercial vehicles while in the U.S. illegally. This group included:
- 26 illegal aliens who had been issued Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) by states with so-called “sanctuary policies,” such as California, Illinois, and New York.
- 8 illegal aliens who were operating a commercial motor vehicle without any form of CDL at all.
“For the second time in just the past month, the state of Oklahoma and ICE have banded together to bolster public safety along Oklahoma’s highways, identifying and apprehending illegal aliens who are in the country illegally and have been recklessly issued a commercial driver’s license by states like California, Illinois, and New Jersey,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Executive Associate Director Marcos Charles.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt echoed this, saying, “To lawfully operate a commercial motor vehicle in Oklahoma, you must be here legally, and you must be able to understand English. These are common sense standards that we will continue to enforce.”
In addition to the driver violations, 36 criminal aliens were arrested. These individuals had been convicted of crimes such as:
- Assault and battery
- Soliciting prostitution
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
Two of the arrested aliens were reportedly wanted overseas for fraud and burglary. Three others were criminally arrested during the operation for obstruction and resisting arrest, with immigration detainers lodged at the Oklahoma County Jail.
The arrested illegal aliens originated from 15 different countries, including China, Colombia, Georgia, Guatemala, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela.
The joint effort is based on a 287(g) partnership between ICE and the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s OHP, which ICE stated “highlights the success possible when cities and states partner with ICE to make the Nation’s communities and roads safer places.”
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