SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Francisco and HSI Los Angeles, along with federal partners, announced on Dec. 23 the conclusion of Operation Highway Sentinel, which officials said resulted in the arrests of 101 unauthorized commercial truck drivers on highways across California and included additional cargo-port inspections that led to two more arrests.

Federal officials said the operation took place throughout California and was launched in response to concerns about commercial vehicle safety and enforcement. ICE Deputy Director Madison D. Sheahan criticized California’s policies and the state’s commercial licensing practices in a statement tied to the operation’s announcement. “Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary state policies are costing American lives,” Sheahan said. “His government knowingly issued thousands of CDLs to illegal aliens who had no business driving at all, let alone behind the wheel of a massive semi-truck. These drivers get their licenses, leave California, then terrorize roads all over the country. ICE is stepping in where his state failed. Just like our operations in Oklahoma and Indiana, we are taking these dangerous illegal alien truckers off the roads and making California streets safe again.”

Officials said that throughout 2025, “criminal illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles” were involved in multiple fatal crashes in California, Florida, and Oregon that “collectively cost eight innocent lives,” and said Operation Highway Sentinel was launched “in direct response to this threat.” Federal officials also alleged that, “Under Newsom, the state of California knowingly issued thousands of CDLs to illegal aliens who had no business being on U.S. roads,” and added that “many of the truck drivers who caused these fatal crashes couldn’t even read English or understand road signs.”

HSI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Tatum King said the enforcement effort focused on public safety and was concentrated across California’s Central Valley. “This week, HSI, along with our partners, conducted enforcement operations targeting illegal alien commercial truck drivers across California’s Central Valley in the interest of public safety,” King said. “In the wake of multiple deadly motor vehicle accidents involving illegal aliens operating as commercial truck drivers, federal law enforcement is taking action to prevent further tragedy.”

Officials said the operation targeted trucking companies in central and northern California that were suspected of engaging in criminal activity. The announcement described the trucking industry as an area law enforcement associates with criminal organizations involved in human smuggling, labor trafficking, narcotics trafficking, cargo theft, and fraud, citing “multiple independent HSI, FBI and DEA investigations” as context for those concerns.

HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang pointed to the importance of freight movement from Southern California ports and said the operation was intended to reinforce compliance and safety. “Southern California is home to the two busiest seaports in the United States — the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. As cargo moves from these ports across the nation, it is essential that those transporting it comply fully with the law to keep our roadways safe,” Wang said. “Our operation has taken 101 drivers off the streets who should not have been behind the wheel, sending a clear message that violations of our laws and threats to public safety will not be tolerated.”

Federal officials said the operation was supported through the Homeland Security Task Force Sacramento, described as a partnership between ICE, the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the DEA, which collaborated to address the public safety threat. DEA San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris said, “DEA is working with our federal partners to save American lives and protect our communities.” FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel said, “This week's effort exemplifies the FBI's commitment to protecting the American people. We worked with our partners to identify and apprehend individuals who pose a significant risk to public safety and are in the United States without lawful status. Our collaborative efforts have made our highways safer.”

Officials said those arrested included individuals from India, Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Russia, Georgia, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Honduras, and said those arrested would be held in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.

In addition to highway enforcement, officials said investigators conducted approximately 800 cargo inspections at major cargo ports, resulting in the arrest of two individuals. The announcement described the ports as critical economic infrastructure, saying they handle roughly 85 percent of goods entering the United States, and said the operation specifically targeted individuals attempting to illegally gain access to these entry points. Officials said protecting the integrity of cargo ports is fundamental to maintaining economic stability and safeguarding the supply chain.

The enforcement activity and related immigration proceedings remain ongoing, and additional updates may be released as cases move through the legal process.

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