36 semi-truck drivers arrested in Arizona Border Patrol operation
U.S. Border Patrol in the Yuma Sector says agents arrested 52 undocumented individuals during an enforcement effort called “Operation Checkmate."
By Karina Bazarte
Published: Jun. 2, 2026 at 8:27 PM EDT|Updated: Jun. 2, 2026 at 8:28 PM EDT
YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — U.S. Border Patrol in the Yuma Sector says agents arrested 52 undocumented individuals during an enforcement effort called “Operation Checkmate,” including 36 people who were driving semi-trucks.
Border Patrol says all 52 individuals will be processed under federal law and then deported.
According to Border Patrol, 29 of the semi-truck drivers arrested during the operation had commercial driver’s licenses issued in states including California, New York, Washington, and Virginia. Border Patrol says three of the drivers did not have a driver’s license at all.
Border Patrol also told Gray Media that agents frequently arrest commercial unlicensed drivers across Arizona, particularly along freeways and roads entering Maricopa County.
https://www.azfamily.com/2026/06/03/36-semi-truck-drivers-arrested-arizona-border-patrol-operation/
