An operation in Arizona’s Yuma Sector led to the arrest of 95 illegal alien truck drivers earlier this month. This crackdown targeted human and drug smuggling at the U.S. southern border.
The drivers held state-issued commercial driver’s licenses. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported 76 licenses from California, six from New York, and the remainder from other states.
“We are committed to protecting our citizens from all international threats,” Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle stated to Fox News Digital, affirming the agency’s dedication to confronting smuggling activities.
Border crossings have decreased significantly since the end of 2024, from over 144,000 incidents in December to 33,000 in July. However, CBP has stopped several high-profile smuggling attempts involving weapons, narcotics, and people.
Recent CBP reports included preventing a rocket-propelled grenade launcher from crossing the border. Officials also encountered dozens of immigrants packed into a semi-truck and intercepted a boat with the help of a Black Hawk helicopter.
Smugglers often use trucking to transport weapons and people across the border. The recent bust, occurring from Aug. 10 to 14, prevented two human-smuggling events. It resulted in the arrest of four smugglers and 17 smuggled individuals. Authorities seized 74 pounds of methamphetamine and 169 pounds of marijuana. A total of 143 suspects from 18 countries were detained.
To address such schemes, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is finalizing a rule to prevent unqualified drivers from obtaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The rule limits CDLs to H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 nonimmigrant status holders. These visa types have stringent vetting.
The rule also seeks to prevent the use of Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) as proof of eligibility, citing insufficient oversight in approvals.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the importance of restricting licenses to qualified individuals. “Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig,” Duffy stated.
Under the Trump administration, efforts continue to prioritize road safety. This includes enforcing English language standards and holding fraudulent carriers accountable.
Leo Briceno reports on politics for Fox News Digital’s congressional team, having previously worked with World Magazine.