US arrests 30 Indian nationals working illegally as truck drivers

(AP photo)

Around 30 Indian nationals working illegally as commercial truck drivers in the United States have been arrested by US Border Patrol agents as part of a federal immigration enforcement drive dubbed Operation Checkmate. The individuals are expected to face deportation proceedings.

According to a statement issued by US customs and border protection (CBP) on Monday, a total of 52 people were arrested during the operation conducted between May 11 and May 15 in Arizona's Yuma Sector. Of those, 36 were found operating commercial semi-trucks while residing illegally in the country.

The operation was launched to strengthen public safety by enforcing immigration laws and identifying undocumented migrants working as commercial vehicle drivers. It comes amid the Trump administration's intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.

US authorities said that at least 30 of the 36 truck drivers arrested were Indian nationals. The remaining six were from Mexico, El Salvador and Russia. Some held commercial driver's licences issued by states including California, New York, Washington and Virginia, while others reportedly had no valid driver's licence.

Officials said many of those detained possessed employment authorisation documents obtained during the Biden administration, but the permits were no longer valid. All 52 individuals were processed under federal law and are set to be removed from the United States.

Operation Checkmate was launched to enhance public safety by enforcing immigration laws and identifying undocumented individuals operating commercial motor vehicles across the United States.

"Operation Checkmate reflects our commitment to safeguarding communities and roads from unlawfully present drivers who pose significant risks to public safety," said Dustin Caudle, acting chief patrol agent of the US border patrol's Yuma Sector.

Caudle said federal agents remain on patrol every day to identify such drivers and prevent potentially fatal crashes on roads across the country.

The operation comes amid the Trump administration's broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Earlier, the department of transportation issued an order aimed at preventing unqualified foreign nationals from obtaining licences to operate commercial trucks and buses in the US.

In recent months, several Indian-origin truck drivers have been arrested and charged in connection with fatal road accidents involving commercial vehicles in different parts of the United States.