The United States Customs and Border Protection says Border Patrol agents in Arizona have arrested about 30 Indian nationals who are living in the country illegally and working as commercial truck drivers, as part of a federal enforcement effort. The arrests occurred during the week of May 11–15, when agents from the Yuma Sector carried out “Operation Checkmate.” Authorities report that 52 people were arrested for being unlawfully present in the US, including 36 people found driving semi-trucks.
Of the 36 semi-truck drivers detained, 30 are reported to be from India. The remaining six are from Mexico, El Salvador, and Russia. Some of the individuals reportedly held commercial driver’s licenses issued by US states including California, New York, Washington, and Virginia, while others did not have a licence. Most were also described as having employment authorization documents that were obtained during the Joe Biden administration and were no longer valid. Officials say all detainees are processed under federal law and will be deported. The operation is described by US authorities as aimed at improving public safety by enforcing immigration statutes and identifying undocumented drivers operating commercial motor vehicles.
