California enforcement operations lead to 49 truck driver arrests

Source: Fox News

Enforcement actions aimed at removing unauthorized drivers from U.S. highways have intensified in California over the past month. On Friday, December 19, U.S. Customs and Border Protectionannounced that agents from the El Centro Sector arrested 49 commercial truck drivers during traffic stops and immigration checkpoint inspections.

The arrests occurred between November 23 and December 12. According to officials, 30 of those detained were from India, while others originated from countries including El Salvador, China, Eritrea, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Russia, Somalia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Seven of the arrests were made during a two-day coordinated effort known as Operation Highway Sentinel, conducted on December 11 and 12 in Ontario and Fontana, California. The operation specifically targeted commercial trucking companies and reportedly resulted in 45 arrests.

El Centro Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Joseph Remenar said the operation underscores the safety risks associated with unqualified drivers operating heavy commercial vehicles. He stated that the individuals arrested should not have been behind the wheel of semi-trucks and criticized the states that issued the commercial driver’s licenses.

Authorities reported that 31 of the arrested drivers obtained their CDLs in California, while others held licenses from Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington state.

Officials added that since the start of Fiscal Year 2026, interior arrests by the El Centro Sector have surpassed those made at the border, highlighting what they describe as the impact of strengthened enforcement and border security measures.