On October 30, 2025, federal and state law enforcement carried out a big immigration sweep called "Operation Midway Blitz" on highways in northwest Indiana. More than 140 truck drivers were arrested for allegedly being in the U.S. illegally and driving trucks without proper immigration status.
The details: This blitz led to 223 individuals being arrested in total, with 146 of them working as truck drivers. Over 40 of the arrested truckers reportedly had commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) that were issued by states like Illinois, California, and New York.
- DHS and Indiana State Police said the operation focused on removing drivers from the road who were suspected of criminal or immigration violations.
- Some of those arrested also faced charges such as DUI, drug trafficking, theft, burglary, and assault, according to officials.
- Law enforcement seized several CDLs that were said to be connected to drivers in the country illegally.
The program: Operation Midway Blitz used authority from the 287(g) program, which allows federal agencies like ICE to partner with state and local police to enforce immigration laws according to ICE.gov.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun said keeping the state safe was a top goal, especially since Indiana is a key trucking route through the country. The operation was described as a joint effort to clear the highways of drivers who should not be operating big rigs under the law.