Houston Daily

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that 31 drivers identified as illegal immigrants were apprehended last week along Interstate 40 in the Texas Panhandle. The action took place during a one-day commercial vehicle enforcement operation conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in partnership with federal agencies.

Governor Abbott stated, "Millions of Texans drive on our highways, roads, and streets every day. When illegal immigrants break the law and illegally drive on our roads, they endanger the lives of countless Texans and Americans. This joint state and federal operation along one of the nation’s longest transcontinental highways removed illegal drivers and unsafe vehicles from Texas roads. While liberal states like California issue licenses to illegal immigrants and risk the lives of Americans, Texas will work with our federal partners to maintain safe roads and apprehend illegal immigrants to protect our communities."

The operation was held on November 11 in Wheeler County. DPS troopers focused on identifying individuals with questionable commercial driver licenses during inspections of commercial vehicles. They were joined by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

According to officials, out of 105 commercial vehicle inspections performed that day, troopers could not verify the lawful presence for 31 drivers who presented CDLs. Those individuals were referred to ICE for further verification, which determined all were in the country illegally.

Authorities noted that most of these CDLs had been issued in California; none originated from Texas.