Feds arrest 86, issue 776 out-of-service orders during three-day blitz targeting unqualified CDL drivers

Federal authorities partnered with law enforcement in four states for an operation targeting “illegal, unvetted drivers and unsafe vehicles.”

On August 4, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released results from Operation Highway Shield, which took place July 28 — 30, 2026, in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio.

The operation involved state police agencies, inspectors from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

USDOT said that the purpose of the operation was to crack down on “unqualified foreign drivers operating big rigs across U.S. highways and freight corridors.”

Hundreds Of Trucks And Drivers Ordered Off The Road

See below for USDOT’s recap of the three-day multi-state effort:

• 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.

-A previous Operation Highway Shield took place in Florida in March, resulting in 176 drivers being taken out-ofservice, 54 of which were taken out-of-service for language deficiencies.

What Are They Saying?

“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.”