Arrest of Undocumented Truck Driver Raises Safety Concerns
Federal immigration officials have apprehended an undocumented immigrant truck driver who managed to secure a commercial driver’s license (CDL) without apparently revealing his name. This case underscores ongoing issues related to safety on the roads.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Anmol Anmol, an Indian national, in September along an Oklahoma highway. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), investigators conducting a routine check at a truck scale found that Anmol not only was in the U.S. illegally but was also using a New York state-issued CDL that inaccurately listed his name as “No Name Given to Anmol.” Admittedly, that sounds odd, doesn’t it?
This arrest is part of a larger initiative by the government aimed at curbing the number of undocumented truck drivers, who are often blamed for serious accidents on highways across the nation.
“It’s reckless and extremely dangerous for illegal aliens to hold CDLs for operating 18-wheelers or transporting hazardous materials on U.S. roads,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, in a statement. “Thanks to the effective partnership between ICE and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Anmol Anmol is no longer a danger to other drivers.”
According to McLaughlin, New York State’s process fails to verify the citizenship of CDL applicants and doesn’t even have access to the legal names of those receiving such licenses. She mentioned that DHS is working to remove illegal truck drivers, noting they often lack knowledge of basic traffic laws.
The arrests occurred during a multi-day operation involving ICE and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, leading to the detention of 120 illegal immigrants, including 91 who were operating commercial vehicles on Interstate 40.
ICE noted that Anmol entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and had previously been released by the Biden administration.
In September, the Department of Transportation announced new restrictions on non-domiciled CDLs for foreign nationals following a federal audit that revealed a “catastrophic pattern” of illegal license issuance to foreign drivers. The revised guidelines mean many non-citizens will face stricter criteria to obtain a CDL.
Concerns about the safety of undocumented truck drivers heightened in August after another illegal immigrant truck driver from India caused a tragic accident on the Florida Turnpike, resulting in the deaths of three people when he made an illegal U-turn. Investigators found that this driver could barely speak English and had trouble recognizing basic traffic signs.
Interestingly, Anmol’s situation isn’t unique. In September, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt mentioned that law enforcement officials had also encountered other foreign truck drivers with licenses designated as having “no name.” It raises a lot of questions about the process, really.
“If New York wants to issue CDLs that say ‘no name given’ to illegal immigrants, that’s on them. But once they enter Oklahoma, they’re bound by our laws,” Stitt commented.
Alongside tightening inspections for foreign CDL holders, the Trump administration is increasing English proficiency requirements for truck drivers, suggesting there’s a long road ahead for addressing these issues.
