Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary | https://www.dhs.gov
A joint operation between federal and state law enforcement in Indiana has led to the arrest of 223 individuals identified as illegal aliens, including 146 truck drivers, according to an announcement from Secretary Kristi Noem. The arrests took place on highways in Northwest Indiana near the Illinois border as part of Operation Midway Blitz, a Chicago-based initiative.
Authorities report that those arrested face charges related to driving under the influence, drug trafficking, theft, burglary, assault, child abuse, domestic battery, prostitution, and fraud. More than 40 of the arrested drivers had been issued Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs), with Illinois, California, and New York cited as the primary states issuing these licenses.
“Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos,” said Secretary Noem. “Thanks to President Trump, Operation Midway Blitz has already removed over 140 illegal alien truck drivers in Indiana. The brave men and women of ICE and the Indiana State Police are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads."
Governor Mike Braun emphasized the importance of maintaining public safety given Indiana's central role in national transportation: “Indiana is the Crossroads of America, and that’s something we’re proud of — but it also means we must stay vigilant about those using our interstates for crime and thus endangering our communities. The safety of our state is our top priority, and we’ll keep working with our federal partners to keep Hoosiers — and Americans — safe.”
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons stated that Operation Midway Blitz was designed to address threats posed by illegal alien drivers on interstate roadways: “ICE launched operation Midway Blitz to remove illegal alien threats to public safety, which is exactly what we have done in Chicago. We recognized from the start that this must include protecting roadways carrying interstate traffic and cargo. Sanctuary policies like those in Illinois sadly don’t recognize borders, and ICE and the Indiana State Police have successfully arrested hundreds of illegal alien truck drivers who should not be operating on our highways," he said. "In recent weeks, we have seen illegal semi-truck drivers responsible for significant loss of life across the country. This was preventable, and that is precisely why we are working to ensure this doesn’t happen in Indiana or Illinois.”
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan highlighted cooperation with local law enforcement: “This operation wouldn’t have been as successful as it was without our strong 287(g) partnership with the Indiana State Police. Protecting communities from criminal illegal aliens also includes those posing safety threats on our interstates," Sheahan said. "When cities and states partner with us, communities are safer, and as this operation has proven, our efforts in Indiana extend protection to those living in the sanctuary state of Illinois as well.”
Recent months have seen several incidents involving individuals identified as criminal illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles leading to fatalities across different states.
In August, ICE placed a detainer on Harjinder Singh after his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide while operating a semi-truck in Florida.
Last week saw another detainer placed by ICE for Jashanpreet Singh following an incident where three people were killed in California when he drove an 18-wheeler under the influence.
