The Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security removed 800 commercial truck drivers from U.S. roadways during the second wave of Operation Highway Shield, a multi-agency sweep targeting safety violators and undocumented workers across four states, on Aug. 4.
The three-day operation combined commercial vehicle safety enforcement authority with immigration enforcement, according to DOT. Drivers were identified through roadside inspections that checked both vehicle safety compliance and driver documentation.
Operation Highway Shield is part of the administration’s broader strategy of deploying non-immigration agencies as force multipliers for border enforcement priorities, DOT said. The operation reflects the administration’s position that immigration enforcement can be integrated into existing regulatory inspection frameworks.
Commercial trucks move roughly 70% of all U.S. freight by value, according to the American Trucking Associations. The removal of 800 drivers from the road raises questions about workforce impacts in a sector that has experienced persistent driver shortages in recent years.
The operation has drawn scrutiny from civil liberties groups regarding the use of safety inspection authority to conduct immigration status checks. Trucking industry associations have also raised concerns about the potential chilling effect on an already strained labor market.
DOT framed the operation as a public safety initiative, emphasizing that unsafe drivers and improperly documented operators pose risks to all motorists on U.S. highways. The department said the operation identified numerous commercial vehicle safety violations in addition to documentation issues.
The first wave of Operation Highway Shield was conducted earlier in 2026. DOT indicated that additional waves are planned.