Nearly 30 Indian nationals working illegally as commercial truck drivers in the United States have been arrested by US Border Patrol agents as part of a federal immigration enforcement operation called Operation Checkmate. The individuals are expected to face deportation proceedings.A total of 52 people were arrested during the operation conducted between May 11 and May 15 in the Yuma sector of Arizona, according to a statement issued by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Monday. 36 of them were found driving commercial semi-trucks while staying in the country illegally.The operation was launched to strengthen public safety by enforcing immigration laws and identifying undocumented immigrants working as commercial vehicle drivers. This comes amid the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.US officials said at least 30 of the 36 truck drivers arrested were Indian citizens. The remaining six were from Mexico, El Salvador and Russia. Some had commercial driver’s licenses issued by states including California, New York, Washington, and Virginia, while others reportedly had no valid driver’s license.Officials said many of those detained had employment authorization documents obtained during the Biden administration, but the permits were no longer valid. All 52 individuals were processed under federal law and are scheduled to be deported from the United States.Operation Checkmate was launched to enhance public safety by enforcing immigration laws and identifying undocumented individuals operating commercial motor vehicles across the United States.“Operation Checkmate reflects our commitment to protecting communities and roadways from illegal drivers who pose a significant risk to public safety,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector.Caudle said federal agents are on patrol every day to identify such drivers and prevent potentially fatal crashes on roads across the country.The operation comes amid the Trump administration’s sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration. Earlier, the Department of Transportation had issued an order aimed at preventing ineligible foreign nationals from obtaining licenses to operate commercial trucks and buses in the US.In recent months, several Indian-origin truck drivers have been arrested and charged in connection with fatal road accidents involving commercial vehicles in various parts of the United States.