Number of California immigrant drivers arrested climbs to at least 87 as ICE continues “stepping in where his state failed”

At least 87 immigrant truck drivers have been arrested as part of a federal sweep of truck drivers in California earlier this month. 

Operation Highway Sentinel was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in California. The sweep occurred between November 23rd and December 12th. 

The sweep was launched in direct response to an influx in deadly crashes involving commercial trucks with drivers licensed in California. 

“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,” said Tatum King, the special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco, to Fox News.

“Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary state policies are costing American lives,” ICE Deputy Director Madison 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,” Sheahan added. “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.”

Fox News has reported a total of 101 illegal immigrants arrested in the Operation Highway Sentinel. It is unclear where the news organization obtained that number. The US Customs and Border Patrol Press Release on the operation lists 87 drivers arrested.