Trucking Laws · Multi-state · November 3, 2026

Truckers Watch as DHS Reports More Than 230 Arrests in 15 States During Operation Guardian, Including More Than 40 CDL Holders

By Big Rig Daily Staff

The Department of Homeland Security says a three-day enforcement operation aimed at the trucking industry led to more than 230 arrests across 15 states, including more than 40 people who hold commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). DHS announced the results of Operation Guardian on Monday, Nov. 2, according to its news release. These are arrests, not convictions, and the figures below are DHS's own numbers.

What DHS announced

According to DHS, Operation Guardian ran from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28 and was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with state and local partners. DHS says the operation targeted people it describes as being in the country illegally who hold unauthorized CDLs, along with other public safety threats tied to the trucking industry. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the results at the headquarters of Melton Truck Lines in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

DHS lists these states as participants: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

"Operation Guardian proves how federal and local law enforcement can work together to get threats like these off of our roadways and protect the homeland," Mullin said in the release.

Two examples DHS gave

DHS described two Oklahoma Highway Patrol stops. On Oct. 26, a stop on I-35 led to an arrest and to charges of assaulting, resisting and impeding officers. On Oct. 27, a stop on I-40 found that all seven occupants of a vehicle were in the country illegally, according to DHS, and the driver was turned over to ICE custody the same day. DHS did not say that either person held a CDL.

The wider effort

DHS says the operation is part of a broader crackdown. It says ICE launched Operation Guardrail on Sept. 25, 2026, a nationwide effort aimed at commercial vehicles operating in violation of U.S. laws, and that 303 people had been arrested through it as of Oct. 29. DHS also reports that from Jan. 20, 2025, through Oct. 28, 2026, ICE made 4,795 CDL-related arrests nationwide, including 1,233 arrests involving CDL holders.

What was not said

FreightWaves noted several details the announcement did not include:

• A state-by-state breakdown of the arrests, or which states accounted for the more than 40 CDL holders.
• Which states issued the licenses.
• How many commercial vehicles were inspected.
• How many of the CDL holders were driving a truck when they were arrested.
• Whether the Operation Guardian arrests are counted in the cumulative figures.
• Whether anyone was charged with licensing fraud or another CDL-related offense, or how many obtained a license through a fraudulent application.

FreightWaves also listed recent truck enforcement blitzes in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Kentucky and North Dakota.

Related coverage

Big Rig Daily has covered partial results of an Arkansas truck inspection operation, 72 truck drivers removed in a Wyoming county and Ohio's decision to end its non-domiciled CDL program. Those reports are separate from Operation Guardian.

Quick facts

• Operation: Operation Guardian, Oct. 26 to Oct. 28, 2026.
• Agencies: ICE with state and local partners, per DHS.
• Results: more than 230 arrests, including more than 40 CDL holders, in 15 states.
• Announced: Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Status: arrests only; no convictions reported.

FAQ

Were the people arrested convicted of anything?

No. DHS reported arrests. The release does not describe convictions for the people arrested in the operation.

Did DHS say how many CDL holders were driving trucks?

No. FreightWaves noted that the announcement did not say how many of the more than 40 CDL holders were driving a truck when they were arrested.

Which states took part?

DHS lists 15: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

A question for readers

Truckers, what information would help you best understand how CDL rules are being enforced in the states where you haul?

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