The Trump White House’s Rapid Response operation put a national spotlight on something Alabamians learned about in a big way last week: A serious partnership between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
The goal of the ongoing operation is getting illegal operators, especially illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles, and drivers without proper licensing, off Alabama roads.
“82 truck drivers have been detained in Alabama on ICE holds since late October… 12 of those detained did not have a license of any kind,” President Trump’s rapid response channel posted Monday morning.
“Thank you, [Governor Kay Ivey], for helping the Trump Administration make American roads safer!”
According to Governor Ivey’s office, ALEA’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit began coordinated enforcement with ICE in late October to expand inspections along Alabama’s major interstate corridors, including high-crash rural interstate areas where heavy truck traffic raises the stakes for everyone on the road.
The early enforcement results reported last week were just the tip of the spear.
- 242 individuals encountered in commercial motor vehicle inspections were referred to ICE for immigration status checks.
- 82 individuals were detained based on immigration status.
- 12 of the 82 detained had no driver’s license of any kind
State officials said most detentions occurred during two targeted “Strike Force” periods from late October to mid-November.
According to ALEA, ICE personnel are embedded into routine commercial vehicle enforcement when available.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
