Submitted by Office of Gov. Mike Braun
On Thursday, Oct. 30, Governor Mike Braun joined U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in announcing that a successful 287(g) operation with Indiana State Police has resulted in the arrest of 223 illegal aliens on Indiana highways near the Illinois state line, including 146 truck drivers.
This operation took place in Northwest Indiana and is part of Chicago-based Operation Midway Blitz.
Recent cases of illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles involved in fatal crashes has brought attention to this issue. For example, in August, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for an illegal alien following his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide while driving a semi-truck in Florida, and last week, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for a criminal illegal alien who killed three people in California while driving an 18-wheeler under the influence.
Criminal activity associated with the 223 illegal aliens arrested during this effort included driving under the influence, drug trafficking, assault, child abuse, and burglary. Over 40 drivers had been issued Commercial Drivers Licenses.
“Indiana is the Crossroads of America, and that’s something we’re proud of – but it also means we must stay vigilant about those using our interstates for crime and thus endangering our communities,” Gov. Braun said. “The safety of our state is our top priority, and we’ll keep working with our federal partners to keep Hoosiers – and Americans – safe.”