A recent multi-agency operation in Arizona’s Yuma Sector led to the arrest of 95 truck drivers involved in illegal activities, aiming to disrupt human and drug smuggling operations at the U.S. southern border. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that all drivers held state-issued commercial driver’s licenses, with 76 from California, six from New York, and the remainder from other states.
The arrests highlight ongoing smuggling activities, despite a decline in immigration numbers. In a notable case, a Customs and Border Protection vehicle stopped a commercial tractor-trailer, emphasizing CBP’s commitment to countering such threats, as stated by Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle.
“We are committed to protecting our citizens from all international threats,” Caudle affirmed.
Border crossings have dropped significantly, from over 144,000 encounters in December 2024 to 33,000 in July. Nevertheless, CBP has intercepted several smuggling attempts involving weapons, narcotics, and humans. Examples include stopping a vehicle carrying a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and detecting immigrants crammed into a semi-truck.
Trucking has been a significant method for smuggling operations. During this operation, which occurred between August 10 and 14, agents thwarted two human-smuggling events, resulting in four smugglers’ arrest and 17 smuggled persons’ capture. They also seized 74 pounds of methamphetamine and 169 pounds of marijuana. In total, 143 suspects from 18 countries were apprehended.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to introduce a rule to prevent unqualified drivers from obtaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The new regulation would restrict CDLs to holders of H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 nonimmigrant visas, offering more stringent vetting. It would also eliminate the use of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for eligibility proof due to lax reporting standards.
“Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig,” emphasized Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Under President Trump’s leadership, efforts focus on enhancing safety on roads by enforcing English language standards and holding fraudulent carriers accountable, according to Duffy.
Leo Briceno serves as a politics reporter with the congressional team at Fox News Digital, having previously worked at World Magazine.
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