WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary Kristi Noem announced that a successful 287(g) operation with the Indiana State Police resulted in the arrest of 223 illegal immigrants on Indiana highways near the Illinois state line, including 146 truck drivers.
According to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the operation took place in Northwest Indiana and is part of Chicago-based Operation Midway Blitz. Criminal activity associated with the 223 illegal immigrants arrested during the operation includes: driving under the influence, drug trafficking, theft, burglary, assault, child abuse, domestic battery, prostitution, and fraud.
Over 40 drivers had been issued Commercial Drivers Licenses, with the top states issuing these types of licenses to the illegal immigrants being Illinois, California, and New York.
"Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver's licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos," said Secretary Noem.
"Thanks to President Trump, Operation Midway Blitz has already removed over 140 illegal alien truck drivers in Indiana. The brave men and women of ICE and the Indiana State Police are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads," she added.
"Indiana is the Crossroads of America, and that's something we're proud of. But, it also means we must stay vigilant about those using our interstates for crime and endangering our communities," said Governor Mike Braun. "The safety of our state is our top priority, and we'll keep working with our federal partners to keep Hoosiers and Americans safe."
"ICE launched Operation Midway Blitz to remove illegal alien threats to public safety, which is exactly what we have done in Chicago. We recognized from the state that this must include protecting roadways carrying interstate traffic and cargo. Sanctuary policies like those in Illinois sadly don't recognize borders, and ICE and the Indiana State Police have successfully arrested hundreds of illegal alien truck drivers who should not be operating on our highways," said ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons.
"In recent weeks, we have seen illegal semi-truck drivers responsible for significant loss of life across the country. This was preventable, and that is precisely why we are working to ensure this doesn't happen in Indiana or Illinois."
"This operation wouldn't have been as successful as it was without our strong 287(g) partnership with the Indiana State Police. Protecting communities from criminal illegal aliens also includes those posing safety threats on our interstates," ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said.
"When cities and states partner with us, communities are safer, and as this operation has proven, our efforts in Indiana extend protection to those living in the sanctuary state of Illinois as well," Sheahan added. According to DHS, in recent months, there has been a disturbing pattern of criminal illegal immigrants driving commercial vehicles on American roads. DHS states that this directly threatens public safety and results in the senseless loss of life.
In August, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for an alleged criminal illegal immigrant following his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide while driving a semi-truck in Florida. Just last week, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for another alleged criminal illegal immigrant who killed three people in California while driving an 18-wheeler under the influence.
According to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the operation took place in Northwest Indiana and is part of Chicago-based Operation Midway Blitz. Criminal activity associated with the 223 illegal immigrants arrested during the operation includes: driving under the influence, drug trafficking, theft, burglary, assault, child abuse, domestic battery, prostitution, and fraud.
Over 40 drivers had been issued Commercial Drivers Licenses, with the top states issuing these types of licenses to the illegal immigrants being Illinois, California, and New York.
"Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver's licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos," said Secretary Noem.
"Thanks to President Trump, Operation Midway Blitz has already removed over 140 illegal alien truck drivers in Indiana. The brave men and women of ICE and the Indiana State Police are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads," she added.
"Indiana is the Crossroads of America, and that's something we're proud of. But, it also means we must stay vigilant about those using our interstates for crime and endangering our communities," said Governor Mike Braun. "The safety of our state is our top priority, and we'll keep working with our federal partners to keep Hoosiers and Americans safe."
"ICE launched Operation Midway Blitz to remove illegal alien threats to public safety, which is exactly what we have done in Chicago. We recognized from the state that this must include protecting roadways carrying interstate traffic and cargo. Sanctuary policies like those in Illinois sadly don't recognize borders, and ICE and the Indiana State Police have successfully arrested hundreds of illegal alien truck drivers who should not be operating on our highways," said ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons.
"In recent weeks, we have seen illegal semi-truck drivers responsible for significant loss of life across the country. This was preventable, and that is precisely why we are working to ensure this doesn't happen in Indiana or Illinois."
"This operation wouldn't have been as successful as it was without our strong 287(g) partnership with the Indiana State Police. Protecting communities from criminal illegal aliens also includes those posing safety threats on our interstates," ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said.
"When cities and states partner with us, communities are safer, and as this operation has proven, our efforts in Indiana extend protection to those living in the sanctuary state of Illinois as well," Sheahan added. According to DHS, in recent months, there has been a disturbing pattern of criminal illegal immigrants driving commercial vehicles on American roads. DHS states that this directly threatens public safety and results in the senseless loss of life.
In August, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for an alleged criminal illegal immigrant following his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide while driving a semi-truck in Florida. Just last week, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for another alleged criminal illegal immigrant who killed three people in California while driving an 18-wheeler under the influence.
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Comments
2025-11-03T07:48-0500 | Comment by: James
The criminals issuing these licenses need to be brought to justice also! If not, they will just continue to do this!