The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has declared its commitment to preventing "criminal illegal immigrants" from operating semitrailer trucks on the nation's interstate highways.
In a post on social media platform X, ICE emphasized the need for American roads to remain "safe for U.S. families," highlighting their ongoing efforts to enforce this mission.
"ICE is dedicated to ensuring that criminal illegal immigrants DO NOT drive semitrailer trucks on interstate highways. American roads must be safe for American families," the agency stated.
This warning gained attention following a testimonial from a truck driver in New York, which ICE shared publicly. The driver created a video urging fellow migrants to always carry their identification documents.
The situation is reminiscent of other incidents that surfaced in 2025, including the case of a Cuban national apprehended by federal agents while traveling on Interstate 75 (I-75).
The driver recounted his encounter on I-75, where he was stopped by ICE operations. "They pulled me over, and the first thing they asked for was this...," he explained, showing his residency card.
He noted that having the document allowed him to proceed without further issues. He added that without it, he might have been detained despite his legal status, and the process would have been "quicker" if the documentation was readily available.
In the summer of 2025, the U.S. State Department announced an immediate suspension of work visas for foreign commercial truck drivers. This move, driven by Secretary Marco Rubio, followed a deadly accident in Florida involving a driver without legal status.
The decision aimed to protect domestic jobs and enhance road safety, forming part of a broader immigration control policy that directly impacted the transportation sector and thousands of immigrant workers across the country.
Soon after, the Department of Transportation (DOT) tightened regulations for non-citizens seeking commercial driver's licenses (CDL), restricting eligibility to specific visas and requiring stringent immigration status verification.
Secretary Sean Duffy explained this measure as a response to the discovery of improperly issued licenses in several states and rising concerns over fatal accidents caused by non-U.S. citizen drivers.
The newly implemented rules drastically reduced the number of foreign nationals eligible to operate heavy trucks and placed state licensing programs under scrutiny.
In October of the same year, a Cuban truck driver was apprehended in Oklahoma during a joint ICE and Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) operation under the 287(g) program.
Lacking a valid commercial license, the driver was among over 120 undocumented immigrants arrested during the operation, which ICE portrayed as an initiative to maintain highway safety.
This case, along with similar instances, highlighted the increasing federal pressure on foreign transport operators and the legal risks faced by Cuban migrants involved in freight transportation within the United States.
Key Questions About ICE and Truck Driver Regulations
What actions is ICE taking against undocumented truck drivers?
ICE is actively working to prevent criminal illegal immigrants from driving semitrailer trucks on interstate highways, emphasizing road safety for American families.
How has the U.S. government changed regulations for non-citizen truck drivers?
The U.S. government, through the Department of Transportation, has tightened CDL requirements for non-citizens, limiting eligibility to certain visas and mandating strict immigration status checks.
What prompted the suspension of work visas for foreign truck drivers?
The suspension was initiated by Secretary Marco Rubio after a fatal accident in Florida involving a driver without legal status, aiming to protect domestic jobs and improve road safety.