In a significant law enforcement operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol recently executed a three-day crackdown along I-40 in Oklahoma, leading to the arrest of over 120 illegal immigrants. The operation, authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), targeted threats to public safety, including commercial vehicles operated without proper licensing. Among the detainees, 91 were found to be operating commercial motor vehicles with commercial driver’s licenses (CDL), while others faced charges ranging from DUIs to drug trafficking and human smuggling.
ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan emphasized the importance of removing such individuals from the highways, stating that ‘our roads are now safer with these illegal aliens no longer behind the wheel.’ The arrests underscore a broader strategy of state-federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, with calls for increased use of 287(g) agreements to bolster law enforcement capabilities.
The operation comes at a time of heightened focus on border security and the role of state governments in immigration enforcement. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, who has been a vocal critic of federal immigration policies, praised the operation and highlighted its potential to address the failures of the Biden administration’s border security approach. The arrests included individuals with past convictions for serious offenses, including DUIs, illegal re-entry, money laundering, and even conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of controlled substances.
Some of the detainees were also linked to a nearby cannabis grow site, indicating that the operation may have uncovered additional criminal activities beyond immigration violations. The arrests, which took place between September 22 and September 25, were part of a series of state-federal enforcement actions aimed at enhancing public safety along major transportation corridors. These efforts have been met with mixed reactions, with some advocating for stronger immigration policies and others calling for increased federal oversight of state-level enforcement actions.
The operation also coincided with recent events in California, where a suspect with a history of deportation allegedly caused a DUI-related crash. Norberto Celerino, 53, faces six counts of murder in connection to the Sept. 7 crash, which has further intensified the debate over the intersection of immigration status, criminal behavior, and public safety. As state and federal agencies continue to collaborate on enforcement actions, the role of 287(g) agreements in facilitating such efforts remains a key point of discussion among policymakers and law enforcement officials.