Second wave of multi-agency operation was conducted across four states in three days
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin today announced preliminary results for the agencies’ second wave of Operation Highway Shield. The joint mission targeted unqualified foreign drivers operating big rigs across U.S. highways and freight corridors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio.
Working alongside state highway patrols, inspectors from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted roadside checks to crack down on illegal, unvetted drivers and unsafe vehicles. During the three-day push, law enforcement officers:
- Detained 51 illegal immigrants, including 21 drivers with non-domiciled commercial driver licenses (CDLs) issued by California and New York.
- Placed 766 unsafe drivers and vehicles out of service.
- Arrested 86 operators for dangerous behavior (including road rage and domestic violence).
- Issued 36 violations for failing English Language Proficiency tests.
Recovered nearly $1 million in stolen cargo.
“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,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “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. I want to thank Secretary Mullin for collaborating with us on this mission as we continue to crack down on unqualified and unvetted foreign drivers. If you continue to illegally operate a big rig – your days on America’s streets are numbered.”
“When illegal aliens are behind the wheels of semi-trucks, they are putting American lives in danger,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “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. I want to thank Secretary Duffy and our state and local partners for working with us to protect innocent lives from illegal aliens and other dangerous drivers on our highways.”
“As a former state trooper who has walked these highways at 2 AM, I’ve seen firsthand the devastation caused when bad actors cut corners or use commercial trucks as cover for illegal activity,” said FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs. “This is about saving lives. We are taking the fight directly to corrupt dispatch rings, manipulated logbooks, and unqualified drivers who threaten law-abiding truckers and everyday commuters alike. If you are operating legally, we are here to support you. If you are cheating the system and endangering Americans, Operation Highway Shield is coming for your keys.”
In its first wave, Operation Highway Shield conducted more than 3,300 inspections in Florida in March, which resulted in 176 drivers being taken out of service, 54 of which were taken out of service for language deficiencies. Additionally, 35 individuals were arrested on criminal-related charges, and 42 individuals were taken into custody for violating federal immigration laws.
The second wave was conducted from July 28-30, 2026.
Additional Information:
Last month, FMCSA & HSI announced a joint operation to expand USDOT’s mission to crack down on fraudulent and illegal practices in CDL schools.
In February 2026, USDOT issued a new rule to stop unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licenses to drive commercial trucks and buses. In that same month, FMCSA conducted Operation SafeDRIVE which resulted in the removal of nearly 2,000 unqualified truckers and vehicles being removed from American roads, as well as 56 arrests.
Since President Trump issued the Executive Order to restore integrity to the trucking industry in April 2025, Secretary Duffy has:
- Knocked 26,000 drivers out of service who could not speak basic English or read road signs
- Shut down 8,000 shady driving schools, and
- Revoked more than 30,000 illegally issued licenses to unvetted foreign drivers