Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), working with the Indiana State Police, arrested [1] more than 145 illegal aliens operating semi-trucks across Indiana, including over 40 individuals who had been issued Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).
The operation, part of a broader enforcement campaign known as “Operation Midway Blitz,” led to more than 220 total arrests on Indiana highways in recent weeks.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced the arrests on Thursday, crediting the success to the ongoing 287(g) agreement between ICE and state authorities.
The partnership allows state and local law enforcement to assist federal immigration officials in identifying and detaining individuals who are in the United States illegally.
“Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs,” Noem said in a statement.
“And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos. Thanks to President Trump, Operation Midway Blitz has already removed over 140 illegal alien truck drivers in Indiana. The brave men and women of ICE and the Indiana State Police are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads.”
JUST IN: Kristi Noem announced that as part of Operation Midway Blitz in Indiana, ICE arrested 223 illegals.
These arrests include 47 semi-truck drivers and another 82 who drove box trucks, buses, and moving vans.
Their CDLs were issued primarily in states such as California,… pic.twitter.com/FowVTmdiyl [2]
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 30, 2025 [3]
According to DHS, more than 40 of the truck drivers arrested held CDLs issued by sanctuary states, primarily Illinois, California, and New York.
Federal officials said the arrests highlight ongoing issues with states that allow noncitizens to obtain commercial driving credentials without federal immigration verification.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said the initiative specifically targeted individuals operating commercial vehicles in and around Illinois and Indiana who had prior criminal records or were in violation of federal immigration law.
“Sanctuary policies like those in Illinois sadly don’t recognize borders, and ICE and the Indiana State Police have successfully arrested hundreds of illegal alien truck drivers who should not be operating on our highways,” Lyons said in a statement.
The arrests come amid growing concern over illegal aliens operating large commercial vehicles following a series of fatal incidents across the country involving unlicensed or improperly credentialed drivers.
“In recent weeks, we have seen illegal semi-truck drivers responsible for significant loss of life across the country,” Lyons said.
“This was preventable, and that is precisely why we are working to ensure this doesn’t happen in Indiana or Illinois.”
What happens in one state spills into others. Case in point:
We arrested more than 140 illegal alien truck drivers — many with significant criminal histories — in coordination with Indiana law enforcement.
Most received CDLs from sanctuary states like California, Illinois and… pic.twitter.com/VWNkkNrWcP [4]
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) October 31, 2025 [5]
Officials said Operation Midway Blitz identified numerous individuals with prior criminal convictions, including offenses such as drunk driving, drug trafficking, theft, burglary, assault, child abuse, domestic violence, prostitution, and fraud.
ICE agents coordinated with state troopers to execute the arrests during traffic enforcement sweeps along major freight corridors and weigh stations across Indiana.
The 287(g) partnership has been expanded in several Midwestern states since January as part of the Trump administration’s renewed emphasis on enforcing immigration laws and addressing public safety threats associated with illegal reentry and fraudulent documentation in the transportation sector.
Indiana authorities said the cooperation between ICE and state law enforcement agencies has been critical in removing individuals who pose risks to motorists and commercial drivers alike.
ICE and the Indiana State Police said additional enforcement actions under Operation Midway Blitz are expected in the coming weeks as part of a broader crackdown on illegal alien drivers with fraudulent or improperly obtained commercial licenses.
Federal authorities said investigations are also underway to determine how many of the arrested individuals obtained CDLs through sanctuary-state licensing systems.
As of Thursday, all 146 arrested truck drivers were in federal custody pending immigration proceedings.
The remaining individuals detained in the operation face charges related to identity fraud, criminal convictions, or illegal reentry.