US border patrol authorities have arrested 30 Indian nationals who were living illegally in the United States and operating semitrucks using commercial driver’s licences (CDLs), as part of intensified enforcement operations in California.

Arrests across California checkpoints

According to a statement from US Customs and Border Protection, agents in the El Centro Sector arrested 49 undocumented immigrants with CDLs during vehicle stops at immigration checkpoints and coordinated operations. Between November 23 and December 12, officials apprehended 42 individuals found driving semitrucks on interstates or while crossing checkpoints.

Of those arrested, 30 were from India, two from El Salvador, while others hailed from China, Eritrea, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Russia, Somalia, Turkey and Ukraine.

Licences issued by multiple US states

CBP said 31 of the seized commercial driver’s licences were issued by California, while others came from Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington.

Authorities flagged concerns that undocumented individuals were able to obtain and use CDLs despite immigration restrictions.

Operation Highway Sentinel

In a separate two-day enforcement drive on December 10 and 11, Indio Station agents took part in Operation Highway Sentinel, led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Ontario and Fontana, California.

The operation resulted in 45 additional arrests of undocumented individuals holding CDLs. Indio agents arrested one Indian and one Tajik national on the first day, followed by four Indian nationals and one Uzbek national on the second day.

Safety concerns behind crackdown

CBP said the operation targeted commercial trucking companies after several fatal road accidents were linked to undocumented drivers operating heavy vehicles.

El Centro Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Joseph Remenar said the arrests highlighted “ongoing dangers” stemming from previous border enforcement gaps. “The individuals arrested should never have been operating these semitrucks,” he said, adding that states issuing CDLs must be held accountable.

Series of fatal crashes cited

US authorities have cited multiple recent incidents involving undocumented Indian drivers. These include cases in California and Florida where semi-truck crashes led to fatalities and severe injuries, prompting immigration detainers and criminal charges.

Officials said enforcement efforts will continue to focus on immigration violations while prioritising public safety on US highways.