Texas law enforcement, working with federal agencies, conducted a joint operation that resulted in the arrest of 31 immigrant drivers on Interstate 40. The individuals, described as “mostly licensed out of California,” were detained during a commercial vehicle inspection effort in the Texas Panhandle, according to a recent press release from the Office of the Governor.
The operation, carried out last week, focused on enforcing safety requirements for commercial vehicles in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott stated in a press release that illegal driving poses safety risks and said the effort removed “illegal drivers and unsafe vehicles from Texas roads.” He also criticized states that issue driver’s licenses to immigrants without legal status, suggesting those policies contribute to safety concerns in Texas.
The operation involved the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) along with federal agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Authorities conducted inspections on 105 commercial vehicles in Wheeler County as part of the joint effort.
During the inspection, DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers reported being unable to confirm the lawful presence of 31 drivers, even though they held California-issued commercial driver’s licenses. As per the Office of the Governor, the drivers were referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for verification, and each was ultimately determined to be in the country illegally. None of the CDLs involved were issued by the State of Texas.
