30 Indian Truck Drivers Arrested in US Immigration Crackdown; Deportation Process Underway
Thirty Indian truck drivers were arrested in Arizona during a US immigration enforcement operation targeting undocumented workers. Authorities have begun deportation proceedings for those detained.
Prasanth Subramani 
Thirty Indian nationals working as truck drivers in the United States have been arrested as part of a large-scale immigration enforcement operation, with authorities preparing to deport them to India.
The arrests come amid intensified efforts by the administration of Donald Trump to identify and remove undocumented immigrants residing in the country.
According to a statement released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a special enforcement drive named Operation Checkmate was conducted in the Yuma Sector of Arizona between May 11 and May 15.
During the operation, authorities arrested 52 individuals who were allegedly residing in the United States without legal authorization. Among those detained were 36 truck drivers.
Officials stated that 30 of the 36 truck drivers arrested were Indian nationals, while the remaining individuals were from Mexico, El Salvador, and Russia. Some of those detained reportedly possessed driver's licenses issued in states such as California, New York, Washington, and Virginia.
US authorities have confirmed that deportation proceedings are being initiated under federal immigration laws, and arrangements are being made to return the detained individuals to their respective countries.
The latest action highlights the continued focus on immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly targeting individuals found to be living or working in the country without proper legal status.
According to data previously released by India's Ministry of External Affairs in Parliament, a total of 3,258 Indian nationals had been deported from the United States up to November 2025, underscoring the scale of immigration-related enforcement actions involving Indian citizens in recent years.
