Oklahoma Expands Operation Guardian With Third Border Sweep
Oklahoma’s coordinated effort with ICE agents to remove illegal immigrant truckers from state highways expanded again this week, as authorities staged the third Operation Guardian sweep at Durant, near the Oklahoma–Texas border.
The operation took place at the port of entry on U.S. Highway 69, a major commercial trucking route connecting the two states. News on 6 reported the latest sweep involved 60 Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) officers, all positioned near the port of entry to intercept every semi-truck entering Oklahoma.
Full Border Screening at the Port of Entry
Troopers ordered every semi-truck approaching the port of entry to pull into the state’s weigh station, where officers conducted detailed inspections. Trucks underwent safety evaluations, including equipment checks and weight verifications, while immigration agents reviewed the legal status of every driver.
OHP confirmed that some arrests were made, but the state did not release specific numbers. That marks a shift from earlier sweeps, where arrest totals were made public. The lack of disclosure suggests ongoing federal processing or pending investigative steps associated with the drivers apprehended in this phase of the operation.
Drivers Without Legal Status Taken Into Custody
According to News on 6, OHP stated that “Drivers found to be in the country illegally were arrested and transferred to an ICE holding facility in Tulsa or Oklahoma City.” The transfers indicate coordination between state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities to ensure detained individuals are processed under federal guidelines.
Part of Oklahoma’s Larger Immigration Enforcement Push
Operation Guardian has become a key element of Oklahoma’s broader initiative to tighten oversight of interstate trucking and reduce unauthorized commercial drivers on state roads. State leaders have stated in previous reports that the operation aims to bolster highway safety, prevent fraudulent commercial licenses, and strengthen border-related enforcement along major freight corridors.
With three sweeps now completed, Operation Guardian appears likely to continue as a recurring enforcement strategy targeting heavy truck traffic entering Oklahoma from Texas, one of the nation’s busiest freight regions.
SOURCE: News on 6
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