SAN FRANCISCO, CA- After a series of high-profile motor vehicle crashes involving illegal alien truck drivers where numerous people were killed, federal law enforcement authorities have begun a crackdown on illegal aliens, some unlicensed and some who received CDL licenses from sanctuary states such as California, New York, and Washington. One such crackdown has taken place in the last week, Operation Highway Sentinel,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced in a news release.
The federal blitzkrieg took place in California, where wanna-be presidential candidate Gov. Gavin Newsom allowed thousands of illegal aliens to obtain commercial drivers’ licenses, who then caused fatal crashes in California, Florida, and Oregon. Those crashes took a total of eight lives.
“Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary state policies are costing American lives,” said ICE Deputy Director Madison D. Sheahan. “His government knowingly issued thousands of CDLs to illegal aliens who had no business driving at all, let alone behind the wheel of a massive semi-truck. These drivers get their licenses, leave California, then terrorize roads all over the country. ICE is stepping in where his state failed. Just like our operations in Oklahoma and Indiana, we are taking these dangerous illegal alien truckers off the roads and making California streets safe again.”
ICE said that Operation Highway Sentinel was launched in direct response to the threat posed to American citizens by illegal aliens who had no business driving 80,000-pound vehicles on America’s highways. In many cases, they cannot even read English or understand road signs.
The California operation is the latest in a series of operations conducted by ICE and its partners, which have resulted in the arrests of over 200 illegal alien truck drivers with CDLs.
“This week, HSI, along with our partners, conducted enforcement operations targeting illegal alien commercial truck drivers across California’s Central Valley in the interest of public safety,” said HSI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. “In the wake of multiple deadly motor vehicle accidents involving illegal aliens operating as commercial truck drivers, federal law enforcement is taking action to prevent further tragedy.”
Operation Highway Sentinel targeted trucking companies headquartered in central and northern California that were suspected of criminal activity. Law enforcement is aware that the trucking industry is a magnet for criminal organizations involved in human trafficking, labor trafficking, narcotics trafficking, cargo theft, and fraud, as revealed in numerous independent HSI, FBI, and DEA investigations.
“Southern California is home to the two busiest seaports in the United States—the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. As cargo moves from these ports across the nation, it is essential that those transporting it comply fully with the law to keep our roadways safe,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “Our operation has taken 101 drivers off the streets who should not have been behind the wheel, sending a clear message that violations of our laws and threats to public safety will not be tolerated.”
“The operation was made possible through the Homeland Security Task Force Sacramento, a partnership between ICE, the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the DEA that collaborated to combat this public safety threat that endangers the lives of millions of Americans along our national roadways,” the release said.
“DEA is working with our federal partners to save American lives and protect our communities,” said DEA San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris.
FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel amplified the agency’s commitment to protecting the American people.
“We worked with our partners to identify and apprehend individuals who pose a significant risk to public safety and are in the United States without lawful status. Our collaborative efforts have made our highways safer.”
Illegal aliens from India, Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Russia, Georgia, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Honduras were among those swept up in the operation. They will be held in ICE custody pending deportation hearings.
In addition to highway operations, investigators conducted approximately 800 cargo inspections at major cargo ports, resulting in two arrests. These ports handle approximately 85 percent of goods entering the country.
That operation targeted individuals attempting to illegally gain access to “these vital entry points, which are essential for the secure and efficient flow of commerce nationwide. Protecting the integrity of our cargo ports is fundamental to maintaining economic stability and safeguarding the supply chain.”
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