WASHINGTON — Federal authorities say a three-day nationwide crackdown removed hundreds of unsafe commercial drivers and vehicles from America’s highways while detaining 51 illegal immigrants and arresting 86 operators accused of dangerous behavior.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the preliminary results of the second wave of Operation Highway Shield on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
The joint operation targeted unqualified foreign truck drivers, unsafe commercial vehicles and other dangerous activity within the trucking industry.
From July 28 through July 30, inspectors from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and participating state highway patrols conducted roadside inspections across the country.
During the operation, authorities:
- Detained 51 illegal immigrants, including 21 drivers holding non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses issued by California and New York.
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Placed 766 unsafe drivers and vehicles out of service.
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Arrested 86 operators for alleged dangerous behavior, including road rage and domestic violence.
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Issued 36 violations to drivers who failed English-language proficiency tests.
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Recovered nearly $1 million in stolen cargo.
“When illegal aliens are behind the wheels of semi-trucks, they are putting American lives in danger,” Mullin said. “With the latest wave of Operation Highway Shield, DHS and our partners at the Department of Transportation have removed more than 800 dangerous truckers from our roadways, including more than 50 illegal aliens and more than 30 drivers who failed English Language Proficiency tests.”
Mullin thanked federal, state and local agencies for participating in the operation and said the effort was intended to protect motorists from illegal immigrants and other unsafe commercial drivers.
Duffy said the federal government will continue targeting unqualified and unvetted drivers operating large commercial vehicles.
“Every life lost from an illegal trucker behind the wheel of a big rig is a completely preventable tragedy — and this administration will not stand for it,” Duffy said. “Our new partnership with DHS builds on President Trump’s progress to secure our roads, eliminate fraud and restore the integrity of trucking in America.”
“If you continue to illegally operate a big rig — your days on America’s streets are numbered,” Duffy added.
The latest enforcement effort follows growing federal scrutiny of how foreign nationals and illegal immigrants have obtained commercial driver’s licenses.
In February, NorthIowaToday.com reported on the Trump administration’s support for legislation that would prohibit states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. The proposal followed several deadly or life-altering crashes allegedly involving illegal immigrant truck drivers.
In one such case, an illegal immigrant holding a California-issued commercial license was accused of causing a crash that killed two newlyweds. The couple had been married for only 16 days when their vehicle struck a semi-truck and trailer blocking both lanes of an Oregon highway.
Federal officials raised similar concerns in July after a Haitian national living illegally in the United States was charged in a commercial vehicle crash that killed a Pennsylvania state trooper. DHS said the suspect had been issued a commercial driver’s license by Massachusetts.
DHS and DOT also recently announced a partnership to investigate suspected fraud and illegal practices at commercial driver’s license training schools.
Federal officials said Operation Highway Shield represents the latest step in a broader campaign to identify unqualified drivers, remove unsafe vehicles and strengthen oversight of the commercial trucking industry.
Apparently they missed one of the “dangerous trucker”. He backed over someone.