US border patrol authorities have arrested 30 Indian nationals who were living illegally in the United States and operating semitrucks using commercial driver&rsquo;s licenses. The arrests were made during a series of enforcement actions in California aimed at improving highway safety and enforcing immigration laws.
According to US Customs and Border Protection, agents in the El Centro Sector arrested a total of 49 undocumented immigrants holding commercial driver&rsquo;s licenses during vehicle checks at immigration checkpoints and joint operations. Between November 23 and December 12, authorities apprehended 42 individuals driving semitrucks on interstates and through checkpoints.
Among those arrested, 30 were Indian nationals, while others came from countries including China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Russia, Somalia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Officials said 31 of the commercial driver&rsquo;s licenses had been issued by California, with the remaining licenses coming from multiple US states including Florida, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
Further arrests were made during Operation Highway Sentinel, a two-day joint enforcement drive conducted on December 10 and 11 in Ontario and Fontana, California. Led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement&rsquo;s Homeland Security Investigations, the operation resulted in 45 arrests of undocumented individuals holding commercial driver&rsquo;s licenses. Several of those detained during the operation were Indian nationals.
Authorities said the operation specifically targeted commercial trucking companies following a series of fatal accidents involving undocumented drivers operating heavy vehicles. The enforcement effort aimed to address immigration violations, enhance road safety, and ensure regulatory compliance in the commercial transport sector.
In recent months, several cases have emerged in which undocumented Indian nationals were involved in serious and fatal trucking accidents across the US. These incidents have intensified scrutiny of licensing practices and enforcement gaps within the commercial transportation industry.
Investigations and enforcement actions are ongoing as federal agencies continue coordinated efforts to prevent unsafe and unlawful operations on US highways.

US border agents detain illegal immigrants operating semitrucks across California

US Arrests 30 Indians Driving Trucks Illegally

US border agents detain illegal immigrants operating semitrucks across California

December 24, 2025 | 16:18 IST