New Delhi: Around 30 Indian nationals are set to be deported from the United States after being arrested during a federal immigration enforcement operation targeting individuals working illegally as commercial truck drivers.
The arrests were made as part of “Operation Checkmate,” a coordinated initiative conducted by the US Customs and Border Protection and the US Border Patrol to identify and detain undocumented individuals operating commercial motor vehicles.
During the operation, carried out between May 11 and May 15 in Arizona’s Yuma Sector, authorities arrested 52 people found to be residing in the country illegally. Among them were 36 individuals working as semi-truck drivers.
Officials said that 30 of the arrested truck drivers were Indian nationals. The remaining six were from Mexico, El Salvador and Russia. Investigators found that some of the drivers held commercial driving licences issued by states including California, New York, Washington and Virginia, while others reportedly had no valid driving licence at all.
Authorities stated that many of those arrested possessed employment authorisation documents that had been issued during the administration of former US President Joe Biden but were no longer valid. Following processing under federal immigration laws, all those detained are expected to be removed from the country.
According to officials, Operation Checkmate was launched to strengthen public safety by enforcing immigration regulations and preventing individuals without lawful status from operating large commercial vehicles on American roads.
Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle said the operation reflects the agency’s commitment to keeping communities and highways safe from drivers who are unlawfully present in the country. He noted that enforcement teams continue to monitor commercial transport routes to prevent accidents and improve road safety.
The crackdown follows policy measures introduced under the administration of President Donald Trump aimed at tightening oversight of commercial driver licensing and preventing unqualified foreign nationals from obtaining licences to operate trucks and buses.
The issue has drawn attention in recent months following several cases involving Indian-origin truck drivers who were arrested and charged in connection with fatal road accidents in the United States.
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