U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 36 commercial truck drivers during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Arizona, the latest sign of increased federal scrutiny of commercial drivers’ immigration and licensing status. Agents assigned to the Yuma Sector arrested 52 individuals during Operation Checkmate, conducted May 11-15, for being in the U.S. illegally. Of those arrested, 36 were operating semi-trucks, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Border Patrol officials said Operation Checkmate was designed to identify and apprehend individuals unlawfully present in the country who were operating commercial motor vehicles. Of the 36 truck drivers arrested, 29 possessed commercial driver’s licenses issued by California, New York, Washington and Virginia, according to a news release. Thirty of the drivers were citizens of India, while the remaining six were from Mexico, El Salvador and Russia. The operation comes as federal and state officials increase oversight of commercial driver’s license programs for non-U.S. citizens. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s revised rules governing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses took effect March 16, limiting eligibility to certain visa classifications and requiring states to strengthen verification procedures. Several states, including California, Washington, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Ohio, have recently paused, reviewed or modified their non-domiciled CDL programs while determining compliance with updated federal guidance. The Arizona arrests come as other states have launched similar enforcement initiatives targeting commercial drivers. In Oklahoma, the Highway Patrol recently reported that its yearlong “Operation Guardian” identified more than 600 truck drivers who were allegedly unlicensed, improperly trained or in the country illegally, according to . Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton said investigators also uncovered drivers with criminal warrants and what he described as “pop-up” trucking schools improperly issuing commercial driver’s licenses, calling it “a well-organized criminal network that’s done this to the trucking industry,” he said to News on 6. An analysis by Overdrive found Texas has been one of the largest issuers of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses in the nation. The state has issued more than 51,000 non-domiciled CDLs over the past decade. Upcoming FreightWaves Events ComplianceBrokerage Compliance Symposium The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry. October 26, 2026 The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now AwardsF3 Awards Dinner The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room. October 26, 2026 The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now FreightTechF3: Future of Freight Festival Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals. October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026 The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry. The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room. The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals. The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now