31 illegal immigrant truck drivers arrested in Texas

Thirty-one illegal immigrant truck drivers were recently arrested as part of a one-day operation in Texas.

In a Wednesday press release, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) announced that 31 illegal immigrant drivers, most of whom were licensed by the state of California, were arrested along Interstate 40 as part of a joint commercial vehicle enforcement operation conducted by federal law enforcement officials and the Texas Department of Public Safety on November 11. 

“Millions of Texans drive on our highways, roads, and streets every day,” Abbott said. “When illegal immigrants break the law and illegally drive on our roads, they endanger the lives of countless Texans and Americans. This joint state and federal operation along one of the nation’s longest transcontinental highways removed illegal drivers and unsafe vehicles from Texas roads. 

The governor’s press release explained that the November 11 operation, which was conducted in Wheeler County, concentrated on ensuring that Texas roads remain safe by identifying individuals who had suspicious commercial driver’s licenses as part of commercial vehicle inspections. During the operation, the Department of Public Safety’s commercial vehicle enforcement troopers worked alongside Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Of the 105 commercial vehicle inspections completed on November 11, law enforcement officials were not able to verify the “lawful presence” of 31 truck drivers with commercial driver’s licenses. Abbott’s office confirmed that the 31 individuals were referred to ICE, which determined that the 31 individuals were illegally present in the United States.

Wednesday’s press release noted that none of the commercial driver’s licenses given to the illegal immigrant truck drivers were issued by the state of Texas. The press release contrasted the state’s policies with California, which was accused of providing most of the illegal immigrant truck drivers with their commercial driver’s licenses.

Abbott stated, “While liberal states like California issue licenses to illegal immigrants and risk the lives of Americans, Texas will work with our federal partners to maintain safe roads and apprehend illegal immigrants to protect our communities.”