Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) announced last week the results of a recent Operation Guardian enforcement action targeting illegal immigrant commercial drivers along the I-40 corridor in eastern Oklahoma.
Area residents became concerned last week after OHP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were reportedly seen conducting traffic stops along I-40, between Webbers Falls and Muldrow.
The 15-hour joint operation, conducted by the two agencies, focused on criminal interdiction and eastbound commercial motor vehicle (CMV) traffic. Troopers made more than 500 contacts, including 209 CMV inspections, resulting in 70 immigration arrests — 34 of which involved drivers operating large commercial vehicles.
Three individuals were also taken into state custody on criminal charges. Among those apprehended, one had an active felony warrant for burglary and another was wanted by INTERPOL. Criminal histories among those arrested included convictions for DUI (driving under the influence), domestic assault and battery, assault, soliciting prostitution, and disorderly conduct.
Governor Stitt said the operation underscores the state’s commitment to highway safety.
“Operation Guardian continues to successfully keep Oklahomans safe,” Stitt said. “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.”
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Executive Associate Director Marcos Charles praised the partnership, noting that many of the drivers arrested were operating trucks licensed by states that issue CDLs to noncitizens.
“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,” Charles said. “Many of the illegal aliens arrested behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound tractortrailer can’t even read basic English, endangering everyone they encounter on the roads.”
The latest enforcement follows a 30-hour operation in western Oklahoma in September, where OHP and ICE made 520 contacts and arrested 120 individuals for immigration violations. Of those, 91 were CMV drivers with criminal histories that included DUI, human smuggling, illegal re-entry, money laundering, assault, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and drug possession.
According to OHP, those arrested during the two operations came from more than two dozen countries, including Tajikistan, India, El Salvador, Uzbekistan, Russia, Ukraine, Cuba and Mexico. Their commercial driver’s licenses had been issued by several states, including California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York.
All OHP troopers are credentialed through ICE to enforce immigration laws under a task force agreement. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton said the partnership and recent federal policy changes send a clear message to the trucking industry.
“Through this recent rule change and these emphases along I-40, we’re sending a strong message that America demands safe and legal commercial drivers,” Tipton said. “In Oklahoma, we will vigorously enforce these laws to keep Oklahomans safe along our highways and interstates.”
The operations coincide with a new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule requiring states to verify lawful immigration status before issuing commercial driver’s licenses — a move state officials say will further enhance highway safety and compliance.
