WESTERN NEW YORK — Nearly 40 people were taken into custody earlier this month during a four-day federal immigration operation along the New York State Thruway, with most of those arrested identified as commercial truck drivers holding valid CDLs.

The enforcement action, called “Operation Bear Cave,” was carried out from November 8 through November 11 along Interstate 90, targeting truck stops and rest areas stretching from Buffalo to Syracuse. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said agents worked alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.

In total, 37 men were arrested — 30 of them commercial drivers with CDLs issued in New York, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. Seven additional men not operating commercial vehicles were also taken into custody.
The agency did not identify the individuals or specify the charges they may face.

Border Patrol’s Buffalo Sector posted a compilation of mugshots from the operation on Facebook, with black bars covering the men’s eyes, alongside the message: “Deportation is FINAL.” All 37 men were transferred to ICE for deportation proceedings and are currently being held at the ICE facility in Batavia, WIVB reported.

Acting Buffalo Sector Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato said agents are seeing an “alarming trend” of undocumented individuals working as truck drivers. He warned that drivers with little or no ability to read or speak English pose significant risks when operating heavy commercial vehicles that require advanced skill and adherence to traffic laws.

“The ongoing major accidents nationwide involving such drivers highlight the critical need for enforcement and vigilance to protect public safety,” he said.

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