Oklahoma vows to continue immigration crackdown that took 130 truck drivers off the road last week

Oklahoma officials vowed Tuesday to continue the immigration crackdown that took 130 truck drivers off the road with the help of ICE last week. 

Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton announced the continuation of the immigration crackdown on Tuesday, September 30th. 

The three-day operation that preceded the announcement was conducted at the port of entry along eastbound Interstate 40 in Beckham County, Oklahoma. That enforcement blitz, called Operation Guardian, made contact with about 520 people. 25% of those people were not in the country legally, and 90% of those found to be in the country illegally were operating commercial motor vehicles. 20 troopers, employees from ICE, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission were all involved. 

“Everybody was taken into custody without any resistance,” Tipton said according to KGOU.

“Moving forward, we’ll continue with these types of operations because our desire is to make sure that every Oklahoman is safe.”

That blitz was reportedly focused on commercial trucks licensed and registered in California, citing laws in “sanctuary states” that may go against federal guidelines. On Monday, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt released a photo showing a CDL that had “no name given.”

“If New York wants to hand out CDLs to illegal immigrants with ‘No Name Given,’ that’s on them,” Stitt said. “The moment they cross into Oklahoma, they answer to our laws,” he said.

“Oklahomans deserve safe highways,” said Oklahoma Corporation Chair Kim David, reported the Oklahoma Voice. “We appreciate the opportunity to assist ICE and DPS Troop S by removing non-compliant and dangerous drivers from our roads. By working together as law enforcement partners, we’re reducing risks for every driver.”

“Our officers’ professionalism, training and use of technology quickly assess each driver and rig to resolve permitting concerns, issue a ticket with an associated fine, or require the driver to pull over and submit to further inspection of their credentials or truck,” said Commissioner Todd Hiett.