AMARILLO, Texas (Diya TV) — Nearly one-third of truck drivers stopped in a recent Texas immigration sweep were in the country illegally, according to Gov. Greg Abbott. State troopers and federal immigration authorities conducted the operation on Nov. 11 in the Texas Panhandle. They pulled over 105 commercial truck drivers and found that 31 of them were illegal immigrants.
Abbott announced the results on Wednesday and said the sweep was part of a broader push to improve road safety. He said illegal immigrant truckers pose a growing risk after several recent fatal crashes involving drivers who held Commercial Driver’s Licenses, or CDLs.
Abbott said millions of Texans rely on safe highways every day. He argued that illegal immigrant truckers threaten public safety and that law enforcement must act swiftly.
The governor also criticized states with more permissive licensing policies. In particular, he pointed to California. He said California allows illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses, which Texas believes puts other drivers at risk.
Federal transportation officials have also increased pressure on California. Earlier this month, the Department of Transportation said California issued 17,000 non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses to foreign drivers. The department said many of those drivers may not meet federal standards.
The Trump administration responded by withholding $40 million from California. A federal investigation found that California did not properly enforce an English-language requirement for commercial drivers. Federal officials said this requirement is necessary for reading road signs, understanding safety instructions, and communicating with police.
Florida officials have also raised concerns. In August, authorities said an illegal immigrant truck driver, Harjinder Singh, caused a crash that killed three people after making an illegal U-turn. The crash led Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to take legal action.
Uthmeier filed a lawsuit in October against California. The lawsuit challenges the state’s sanctuary policies and its decision to issue Commercial Driver’s Licenses to illegal immigrants. Florida officials argue that California’s policies allow unsafe drivers to work in other states and put lives at risk.
Abbott said the Texas sweep shows the importance of strong cooperation between state and federal agencies. The operation took place along one of the nation’s longest transcontinental highways, a route that handles heavy truck traffic each day.
Abbott said the joint effort removed unsafe vehicles and drivers from Texas roads. He said Texas will continue supporting federal partners to enforce immigration law and protect public safety.
Texas officials said they expect to conduct more inspections in the coming months. They argue that stronger enforcement will help reduce accidents involving unlicensed or improperly licensed drivers.
The issue highlights a larger national debate over Commercial Driver’s Licenses, immigration enforcement, and highway safety. States have different policies on licensing undocumented immigrants. Some states, like California, offer driver’s licenses regardless of legal status. Others, like Texas, restrict licenses and require strict documentation.
Supporters of California’s policies often say licensing undocumented immigrants improves safety by ensuring more drivers pass tests, carry insurance, and undergo background checks. Critics argue that issuing Commercial Driver’s Licenses to illegal immigrants threatens public safety and encourages unsafe trucking practices.
The Texas findings add new urgency to the debate. With more commercial trucks on the roads each year, states and federal agencies face growing pressure to monitor safety and enforce immigration law.
Commercial trucking remains vital to the U.S. economy. Trucks move goods across the country every day. But they also contribute to thousands of serious crashes each year. Federal and state agencies have increased inspections and safety checks as trucking demands grow.
