Washington, June 2: Around 30 Indian nationals have been arrested in the United States as part of a federal immigration enforcement operation targeting undocumented commercial truck drivers. US authorities said the individuals were allegedly living in the country without legal status and are expected to undergo deportation proceedings.

The arrests were carried out during a multi-day operation known as Operation Checkmate, conducted by the US Border Patrol in Arizona's Yuma Sector between May 11 and May 15. According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a total of 52 undocumented individuals were detained during the operation. Of them, 36 were found operating commercial semi-trucks, including 30 Indian nationals.

Authorities said the remaining truck drivers arrested were citizens of Mexico, El Salvador and Russia. Several of those detained reportedly held commercial driver's licenses issued by various US states, while some were found without valid driving credentials. CBP officials stated that the operation was launched to identify undocumented migrants working in the commercial transportation sector and to enforce immigration laws related to commercial vehicle operators. The agency described the initiative as part of broader efforts to improve road safety and regulatory compliance.

Officials further said that many of the individuals arrested possessed employment authorization documents that had expired and were no longer considered valid under current immigration regulations. All those detained are being processed under federal immigration laws and are expected to be removed from the country.

The arrests come amid increased scrutiny of immigration compliance within the US trucking industry. In recent months, federal agencies have intensified enforcement actions targeting undocumented workers employed in commercial transportation, citing public safety concerns and licensing standards.

The development has drawn attention within the Indian diaspora, particularly among communities involved in the transportation and logistics sectors. However, US authorities have not publicly released the identities of the individuals detained. The case is the latest example of ongoing immigration enforcement measures in the United States as federal agencies continue efforts to identify and remove individuals found to be residing and working in the country without legal authorization.

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