On December 23, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles announced the results of Operation Highway Sentinel, which led to the arrest of 101 undocumented truck drivers on highways across California. The operation was carried out in response to a series of fatal accidents caused by commercial vehicle drivers without legal status, incidents that occurred in California, Florida, and Oregon during 2025.
According to ICE Deputy Director Madison D. Sheahan, “Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary state policies are costing American lives. His government knowingly issued thousands of CDLs to illegal aliens who had no business driving at all, let alone behind the wheel of a massive semi-truck. These drivers get their licenses, leave California, then terrorize roads all over the country. ICE is stepping in where his state failed. Just like our operations in Oklahoma and Indiana, we are taking these dangerous illegal alien truckers off the roads and making California streets safe again.”
ICE reported that throughout 2025, criminal noncitizen commercial drivers were involved in several fatal crashes that resulted in eight deaths across three states. The agency said many of these drivers were unable to read English or understand road signs.
Special Agent in Charge Tatum King from HSI San Francisco stated, “This week, HSI, along with our partners, conducted enforcement operations targeting illegal alien commercial truck drivers across California’s Central Valley in the interest of public safety. In the wake of multiple deadly motor vehicle accidents involving illegal aliens operating as commercial truck drivers, federal law enforcement is taking action to prevent further tragedy.”
Operation Highway Sentinel focused on trucking companies suspected of criminal activity such as human smuggling, labor trafficking, narcotics trafficking, cargo theft and fraud. Law enforcement agencies including HSI, FBI and DEA have previously investigated similar crimes within the industry.
HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang commented on Southern California’s transportation infrastructure: “Southern California is home to the two busiest seaports in the United States — the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. As cargo moves from these ports across the nation, it is essential that those transporting it comply fully with the law to keep our roadways safe,” Wang said. “Our operation has taken 101 drivers off the streets who should not have been behind the wheel, sending a clear message that violations of our laws and threats to public safety will not be tolerated.”
The operation was supported by Homeland Security Task Force Sacramento—a collaboration among ICE, FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation and DEA—aimed at addressing threats on national roadways.
“DEA is working with our federal partners to save American lives and protect our communities,” said DEA San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris.
FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel added: “This week's effort exemplifies the FBI's commitment to protecting the American people. We worked with our partners to identify and apprehend individuals who pose a significant risk to public safety and are in the United States without lawful status. Our collaborative efforts have made our highways safer.”
Those arrested included individuals from India, Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Russia, Georgia, Venezuela, El Salvador and Honduras. All remain held by ICE pending immigration proceedings.
In addition to arrests on highways, investigators performed about 800 cargo inspections at major ports—including those handling most imported goods into the U.S.—which resulted in two additional arrests related to unauthorized access attempts at these critical entry points.
Officials emphasized that securing these ports is vital for economic stability and protection of supply chains across the country.
