Over the span of two days, from October 28 to 29, a special emphasis operation named "Operation Guardian" led to the arrest of 70 undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma. According to a report by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Of those apprehended, 36 were identified as criminal aliens by the authorities, with infractions ranging from assault and battery to DUI, and 34 were nabbed for operating a semi-truck or commercial vehicle while undocumented. The operation aimed to swiftly identify and detain people who are not only in the U.S. illegally but also, in some cases, driving without a proper commercial driver's license (CDL).
In a display of concerted efforts to tighten road safety, the operation hitched together ICE and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, under the 287(g) partnership, to boldly strengthen the enforcement of immigration laws and bolster public safety measures on state highways. Among the drivers arrested, 26 had been issued a CDL, and 8 were found dangerously operating a commercial vehicle without a license at all. Non-cooperation added to the tally, with three people criminally arrested for obstruction and resisting arrest.
Marcos Charles, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Executive Associate Director, voiced his concern over the impact of sanctuary policies on public safety. "Many of the illegal aliens arrested behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer can’t even read basic English, endangering everyone they encounter on the roads," Charles outlined in the ICE statement. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the state's standards for lawful vehicle operation. "To lawfully operate a commercial motor vehicle in Oklahoma, you must be here legally, and you must be able to understand English. These are common sense standards that we will continue to enforce," Gov. Stitt asserted.
ICE and the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s OHP conducted a joint operation resulting in the arrest of individuals from 15 different countries, including China, Colombia, Georgia, Guatemala, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela. The operation aimed to enforce immigration laws and enhance community and road safety.
