Governor Greg Abbott announced that 31 drivers, identified as illegal immigrants and mostly holding commercial driver licenses from California, were apprehended last week during a joint enforcement operation on Interstate 40 in the Texas Panhandle. The operation was conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in partnership with federal agencies.
“Millions of Texans drive on our highways, roads, and streets every day,” said Governor Abbott. “When illegal immigrants break the law and illegally drive on our roads, they endanger the lives of countless Texans and Americans. This joint state and federal operation along one of the nation’s longest transcontinental highways removed illegal drivers and unsafe vehicles from Texas roads. While liberal states like California issue licenses to illegal immigrants and risk the lives of Americans, Texas will work with our federal partners to maintain safe roads and apprehend illegal immigrants to protect our communities.”
The enforcement action took place on November 11 in Wheeler County. DPS troopers specializing in commercial vehicle enforcement were joined by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Authorities inspected 105 commercial vehicles during the operation. DPS troopers could not verify the lawful presence of 31 drivers who presented CDLs at inspection sites. All were referred to ICE for further verification, which determined that each individual was in the country illegally.
Most of these CDLs had been issued by California authorities; none originated from Texas.
