WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin have 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, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations 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 issued by California and New York.
During the raid, 766 unsafe drivers and vehicles were placed out of service.
86 operators were arrested for dangerous behavior, including road rage and domestic violence.
The authorities issued 36 violations for failing English Language Proficiency tests, and recovered nearly $1 million in stolen cargo.
The second wave of Operation Highway Shield was conducted from July 28 to 30.
'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.
Copyright(c) 2026 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
© 2026 AFX News
