In a dramatic escalation of immigration enforcement across the United States, federal and state authorities have recently launched a series of high-profile operations resulting in the arrest of hundreds of undocumented migrants and commercial drivers. From Oklahoma’s highways to the streets of Illinois and the neighborhoods of central Florida, law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to target what they describe as the "worst of the worst"—individuals accused of serious crimes, as well as those operating commercial vehicles without proper documentation. The crackdown, officials say, is part of a broader campaign to restore public safety and address what they view as systemic failures in the nation’s immigration and licensing systems.
In Oklahoma, a three-day enforcement effort at the Beckham County Port of Entry led to the arrest of 130 commercial truck drivers for various violations, according to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The sweep, conducted in partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, focused on drivers holding Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) registered in California. Governor Kevin Stitt, announcing the results of "Operation Guardian," emphasized the initiative’s aim to keep Oklahoma’s highways safe. "Oklahomans deserve safe highways," said Corporation Commission Chair Kim David. "We appreciate the opportunity to assist ICE and DPS Troop S by removing non-compliant and dangerous drivers from our roads. By working together as law enforcement partners, we’re reducing risks for every driver."
Stitt’s announcement also highlighted the apprehension of more than 125 individuals identified as illegal immigrants from countries as far-flung as India, Uzbekistan, China, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Mauritania. A photo included in the release depicted a New York CDL issued with "No Name Given," underscoring concerns about the integrity of non-domiciled CDLs. "If New York wants to hand out CDLs to illegal immigrants with ‘No Name Given,’ that’s on them," Stitt declared. "I want to thank our troopers and ICE officials for their hard work. This is about keeping Oklahomans safe."
The Oklahoma operation came just days after U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sounded the alarm over the nation’s CDL system. At a press conference on September 26, Duffy announced sweeping changes to drastically reduce the number of people eligible for non-domiciled CDLs, citing "systemic non-compliance" in states like California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, and Texas. "The process for issuing these licenses is absolutely 100% broken," Duffy said. "It has become a threat to public safety, and it is a national emergency that requires action right now." Under the new rules, non-citizens will be ineligible for a non-domiciled CDL unless they meet stricter requirements, including holding an employment-based visa and passing a federal immigration status check.
California was singled out for immediate action. Federal authorities ordered the state to pause issuance of non-domiciled CDLs and to identify and revoke noncompliant licenses within 30 days—or risk losing $160 million in federal highway funds. A review by the Department of Transportation found that more than 25% of California’s non-domiciled CDLs were improperly issued. While California officials have not publicly responded to the directive, CNN reported that a spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom pointed out that California CDL holders have a crash rate nearly 40% lower than the national average. Meanwhile, Texas authorities wasted no time, announcing on September 29 that they would immediately suspend issuance of non-domiciled CDLs and all CDLs to non-citizens who are refugees, asylees, or recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Elsewhere, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been equally aggressive. On September 8, DHS launched "Operation Midway Blitz" in Illinois, a campaign named in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed by a drunk driver identified as a criminal illegal alien. According to DHS, ICE and U.S. Border Patrol officers arrested more than 800 undocumented immigrants, including gang members, murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and domestic abusers. The operation unfolded against a backdrop of heightened tensions, with violent protests and threats against ICE officers outside the ICE Broadway Processing Center. Yet, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin insisted that law enforcement remained undeterred: "We will not allow sanctuary politicians or violent rioters to stop us from enforcing the law and arresting pedophiles, murderers, gang members, rapists, and domestic abusers from American communities."
The list of those apprehended during Operation Midway Blitz reads like a grim roster. Among the individuals arrested were Cristobal Carias Masin from El Salvador, convicted of statutory rape, fraud, and aggravated felony; Stefan Cseve from Austria, with convictions including sexual assault and murder; and Blanca Cecillia Sanchez-Sanchez from Venezuela, identified as a member of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. Other arrestees hailed from Poland, Mexico, Lithuania, and Honduras, with charges ranging from armed robbery and drug possession to domestic violence and illegal re-entry.
Central Florida, too, has seen a surge in enforcement. Between September 22 and September 26, federal immigration agents, working alongside state and local law enforcement, arrested more than 400 migrants without legal status. The campaign, which ICE described as a successful model for nationwide enforcement, was part of the Trump administration’s broader mass removal policy. "This was another successful operation to arrest the worst of the worst with our Florida state and local partners and can serve as a blueprint nationwide," said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, as reported by Newsweek. Among those detained were individuals with criminal records for lewd and lascivious behavior, battery, domestic violence, driving under the influence, larceny, resisting arrest, and more.
Garrett Ripa, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami Field Office Director, was blunt about the administration’s priorities: "The days of allowing illegal aliens to disregard our laws and pose a threat to our communities, our roads, and our economy are over." He credited the 287(g) program—which empowers local law enforcement to perform certain immigration duties—for the operation’s success, noting that Florida now leads the nation with 327 such agreements, a staggering 577% increase since January 2025.
Supporters of these aggressive enforcement measures argue that they are essential for public safety and the integrity of the nation’s legal and transportation systems. They point to cases like those highlighted by DHS and ICE as evidence that lax enforcement enables dangerous individuals to remain at large. "Many of these individuals illegally remained in Florida and have gone on to wreak havoc in our local neighborhoods," Ripa said. "This weeklong joint 287(g) operation focused on targeting those threats to public safety. Together, we are making Florida safe!"
However, critics warn that such raids sow fear in immigrant communities and risk sweeping up individuals whose only offense is lacking legal status. Civil rights organizations and immigrant advocates argue that the focus on high-profile criminal cases obscures the broader impact on families and communities, and that the tightening of CDL regulations could harm the nation’s already strained supply chain by sidelining qualified drivers.
As the federal government signals its intent to continue these enforcement campaigns, the debate over immigration, public safety, and the nation’s identity remains as heated as ever. With new rules, high-profile raids, and a growing patchwork of state-level policies, the landscape of U.S. immigration enforcement is shifting rapidly—and the consequences are being felt in communities across the country.
For now, the message from federal and state authorities is clear: enforcement is intensifying, and the days of leniency for undocumented drivers and migrants appear to be over.
