The Results of FMCSA’s Operation Highway Shield

Since the start of 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has increased efforts to handle the safety issues associated with foreign drivers and non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders. Initiatives from the FMCSA range from introducing stricter policies regarding understanding of the English language to revising the Final Rule for eligibility of non-domiciled CDLs. FMCSA’s most recent efforts, known as Operation Highway Shield, have now resulted in the removal of more than 800 truck drivers from the nation’s roadways in its second wave.

Operation Highway Shield consisted of an operation where inspectors from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HIS), in tandem with the FMCSA and state highway patrols, conducted various roadside checks to crack down on illegal, unvetted, and unsafe vehicles. This operation was the latest effort by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and federal, state, and local partners to reduce dangerous practices in the trucking industry.

What is Operation Highway Shield?

Operation Highway Shield was a two wave initiative focused on removing dangerous truck drivers and equipment from the roads. In its first wave, the operation conducted more than 3,300 inspections in Florida in March, resulting in 176 drivers removed from service, 54 of which were removed for English language deficiencies. Furthermore, 35 individuals were arrested on criminal-related charges, and 42 people were taken into custody for violating federal immigration laws.

The second wave, taking place over the course of three days from July 28 to July 30, focused on targeting unqualified foreign drivers operating heavy trucks and big rigs across U.S. highways and freight corridors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio. Over the course of those three days, law enforcement officers provided these results:

• 51 foreign drivers were detained, including 21 drivers with non-domiciled CDLs issued in California and New York
• 766 unsafe drivers and vehicles were placed out of service
• 86 operators were arrested for dangerous behavior, including road rage and domestic violence
• 36 violations were issued for failing English Language Proficiency tests
• Nearly $1 million in stolen cargo was recovered.

Regarding the operation, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “Every life lost from an illegal trucker behind the wheel of a big rig is a completely preventable tragedy — and this administration will not stand for it.” FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs said he has seen the devastation that is caused by bad actors cutting corners or using commercial trucks to cover illegal activity. He states that the FMCSA is taking the fight to corrupt dispatch rings, manipulated logbooks, and unqualified drivers who pose a threat to law-abiding truck drivers and passenger vehicle drivers. “If you are cheating the system and endangering Americans, Operation Highway Shield is coming for your keys,” Barrs said.

This operation was ultimately an expansion of FMCSA’s initiatives to cut back on foreign drivers who are unqualified to operate big rigs and heavy trucks in the United States. Following several serious truck wrecks caused by foreign drivers who did not have proper immigration status, the FMCSA revised its Final Rule for eligibility of non-domiciled CDLs. This Final Rule limits the issuing of non-domiciled CDLs and commercial learner’s permits to foreign-born drivers holding H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas; no other immigration status is accepted.

Other Trucking Safety Initiatives

In addition to Operation Highway Shield, the FMCSA also collaborated with DHS to expand the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) mission to reduce the fraudulent and illegal practices in CDL schools. The operation commenced in July and resulted in the identification of 75 entry-level driving training schools suspected of fraudulent activities, including the use of improper driver certifications, the falsification of training records, and failure to properly train drivers applying for CDLs. These CDL schools are often referred to as “CDL mills”, which fast track new drivers through their training, leading to truck drivers who are inadequately trained to operate their vehicles.

Overall, Duffy states that the last year of “rooting out bad actors from our trucking industry” has culminated in the removal of over 24,000 drivers from the roadways for failing to meet FMCSA English language requirements, forcing states to cancel over 28,000 licenses illegally issued to foreign drivers, and purging over 9,500 unqualified CDL training schools from the FMCSA registry.

Injured After a Truck Wreck? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help

Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both attorneys David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team that works with investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired. Additionally, two of the firm’s litigation paralegals are board-certified in truck accident law by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. As David has said, “We don’t just handle truck accident cases. We specialize in these cases.”

Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out for a free case consultation today at (888) 253-5198 or online.

David W. Craig is board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.