Around 30 Indian nationals living and working illegally in the United States have been arrested and are set to be deported following a major federal immigration enforcement operation targeting undocumented commercial truck drivers.
According to a statement issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector in Arizona arrested 52 individuals during “Operation Checkmate” conducted between May 11 and May 15. The operation focused on identifying undocumented individuals operating commercial motor vehicles across the country.
Among those arrested were 36 individuals found driving semi-trucks. Of these, 30 were Indian nationals, while the remaining six were from Mexico, El Salvador and Russia.
Authorities said the arrested individuals possessed commercial driver’s licences issued by states including California, New York, Washington and Virginia, while some did not have any valid driving licence. Most were carrying employment authorisation documents that had been issued during the administration of former President Joe Biden but were no longer valid.
US officials confirmed that all those detained have been processed under federal immigration laws and will be deported.
“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 remain actively engaged in identifying and apprehending undocumented drivers to prevent serious road accidents and ensure public safety across the United States.
The operation comes amid stricter immigration and transportation policies under President Donald Trump’s administration. The US Department of Transportation recently issued directives aimed at preventing unqualified foreign nationals from obtaining licences to operate commercial trucks and buses.
The crackdown follows several high-profile incidents in recent months involving Indian-origin truck drivers who were arrested and charged in connection with fatal road accidents while operating commercial vehicles in the US.
According to figures shared by the Indian government in Parliament earlier this year, more than 3,800 Indian nationals were deported from the United States in 2025. The data revealed that 3,414 Indians had been deported through Washington alone by mid-December.
The latest arrests highlight growing scrutiny of undocumented workers in the US transportation sector as authorities intensify efforts to enforce immigration laws and road safety regulations.
