The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation said a second wave of Operation Highway Shield had resulted in nearly 800 dangerous truck drivers being removed from American roads.
The operation is a joint mission between the two departments targeting unqualified foreign truck drivers. During a three-day operation in late July, inspectors from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HIS), along with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state highway patrols, conducted roadside check points to identify illegal, unvetted drivers and unsafe vehicles.
Officials said the operation placed 766 unsafe drivers and vehicles out of service, detained 51 illegal immigrants, including 21 drivers with non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses issued by California and New York, and arrested 86 operators for dangerous behavior. Investigators said they issued 36 violations for failing English Language Proficiency tests. The departments also said they were able to recover nearly $1 million in stolen cargo.
“When illegal aliens are behind the wheels of semi-trucks, they are putting American lives in danger,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said. “With the latest wave of Operation Highway Shield, DHS and our partners at the Department of Transportation have removed more than 800 dangerous truckers from our roadways, including more than 50 illegal aliens and more than 30 drivers who failed English Language Proficiency tests.”
Officials said the operation is the latest effort by DHS and federal, state and local partners to crack down on dangerous practices in the trucking industry. Last month, the two departments announced a partnership to investigate fraud and illegal practices in CDL schools.
“Every life lost from an illegal trucker behind the wheel of a big rig is a completely preventable tragedy – and this administration will not stand for it,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Our new partnership with DHS builds on President Trump’s progress to secure our roads, eliminate fraud, and restore the integrity of trucking in America.”