New York: Around 30 Indian nationals living and working illegally in the United States have been arrested as part of a federal immigration enforcement operation targeting undocumented commercial vehicle drivers, officials said.

According to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol agents in Arizona’s Yuma Sector conducted “Operation Checkmate” between May 11 and May 15, resulting in the arrest of 52 undocumented migrants. Among them, 36 individuals were found operating semi-trucks, despite lacking valid legal status to work in the country.

Officials said that 30 of the arrested truck drivers were Indian nationals, while the remaining six were from Mexico, El Salvador, and Russia. Many possessed commercial driver’s licenses issued by states including California, New York, Washington, and Virginia, while some reportedly had no driver’s license at all.

Authorities stated that most of those arrested carried employment authorization documents obtained during the administration of former President Joe Biden. However, those documents had expired or were no longer valid, rendering their employment unlawful.

All 52 individuals have been processed under federal immigration laws and are expected to be deported.

CBP said Operation Checkmate was launched to enhance public safety by identifying and arresting undocumented individuals operating commercial motor vehicles across the United States.

“Operation Checkmate reflects our commitment to safeguarding communities and roads from unlawfully present drivers who pose significant risks to public safety,” said Dustin Caudle, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the US Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector.

He added that federal agents continue to monitor highways and transportation routes to prevent potentially dangerous situations and reduce the risk of serious accidents involving unqualified drivers.

The operation comes amid stricter immigration enforcement measures under President Donald Trump’s administration. The US Department of Transportation has also introduced policies aimed at preventing unqualified foreign nationals from obtaining licenses to operate commercial trucks and buses.

In recent months, several Indian-origin truck drivers in the US have been arrested and charged in connection with fatal road accidents involving commercial vehicles, drawing increased scrutiny to the sector.

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