NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
YUMA, Ariz, June 2, 2026 — Thirty Indian nationals were among 36 commercial truck drivers arrested during a recent immigration enforcement operation in Arizona, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.
The arrests took place during “Operation Checkmate,” conducted by agents from the Yuma Sector between May 11 and May 15. In total, authorities arrested 52 individuals who were allegedly in the United States illegally. Of those, 36 were operating semi-trucks, according to a June 1 statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
CBP said 30 of the truck drivers were citizens of India. The remaining six individuals were from Mexico, El Salvador, and Russia.
According to the agency, 29 of the 36 drivers possessed commercial driver’s licenses issued by states including California, New York, Washington, and Virginia. Three individuals did not possess any form of driver’s license.
Federal authorities said most of those arrested had Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that were obtained during the Biden administration but were no longer valid. CBP stated that all individuals were processed in accordance with federal law and face deportation proceedings.
“Operation Checkmate reflects our commitment to safeguarding communities and roads from unlawfully present drivers who pose significant risks to public safety,” said Dustin W. Caudle, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector. “My agents are on patrol every day to ensure we stop these individuals and prevent more deadly crashes from occurring on the road across the United States.”
The operation comes amid increased federal scrutiny of commercial trucking and licensing requirements for foreign-born drivers. CBP said the Department of Transportation recently issued a final rule aimed at preventing unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licenses to operate commercial trucks and buses in the United States.
The agency said it is working with federal partners to enforce immigration and transportation regulations as part of broader efforts to strengthen border security and roadway safety.
CBP did not release the identities of the individuals arrested or provide details about how long they had been working as commercial drivers in the United States.
