Texas authorities apprehended 31 drivers identified as illegal immigrants during a commercial vehicle enforcement operation along Interstate 40 in the Panhandle last week. The one-day effort was carried out by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in cooperation with federal agencies.
Governor Greg Abbott commented on the operation, stating, “Millions of Texans drive on our highways, roads, and streets every day. When illegal immigrants break the law and illegally drive on our roads, they endanger the lives of countless Texans and Americans. This joint state and federal operation along one of the nation’s longest transcontinental highways removed illegal drivers and unsafe vehicles from Texas roads. While liberal states like California issue licenses to illegal immigrants and risk the lives of Americans, Texas will work with our federal partners to maintain safe roads and apprehend illegal immigrants to protect our communities.”
The enforcement action took place on November 11 in Wheeler County. DPS commercial vehicle enforcement troopers were joined by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for inspections targeting suspicious commercial driver licenses.
According to officials, DPS conducted 105 commercial vehicle inspections during which troopers could not verify the lawful presence of 31 drivers who presented CDLs. These individuals were referred to ICE for further verification, which determined that all were in the country illegally.
Most of these CDLs had been issued in California; none were issued in Texas.
