Oklahoma Immigration Enforcement: 73 Arrested in Eastern Oklahoma Operation

Oklahoma state troopers, working alongside federal immigration authorities, arrested 73 people during a 15-hour enforcement operation in eastern Oklahoma last week, marking the second major sweep under the state’s aggressive immigration crackdown initiative. I suspect that some portion of those detained possess valid work documents and driver licenses. In other “enforcement operations” we are seeing persons with valid documents being labeled as illegal if they possess less than permanent resident cards.

Operation Guardian Expands Across Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted the operation along Interstate 40 near the Arkansas border on October 28-29 as part of “Operation Guardian,” Governor Kevin Stitt’s partnership with federal immigration enforcement.

During the operation, authorities contacted over 500 vehicles at ports of entry and weigh stations. Of the 73 people arrested for immigration violations, 34 were commercial truck drivers.

Focus on Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

Oklahoma Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton emphasized that the operation targeted commercial motor vehicle compliance alongside immigration enforcement. 

Criminal Histories and International Warrants

Authorities said 36 of those arrested allegedly had criminal histories, including previous convictions for DUI, domestic assault and battery, assault, soliciting prostitution, and disorderly conduct. One individual allegedly had a confirmed warrant from Interpol, while another allegedly had an active felony warrant for burglary.

The arrested individuals originated from 22 countries including Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Montenegro, and El Salvador.

Given the breadth of countries involved, I suspect that a significant portion of arrestees were illegally detained as their countries of origin indicate probable asylum applications or some sort of refugee status.

Second Major Sweep Under Operation Guardian

This marks the second major enforcement action under Operation Guardian, which launched in late 2024. A previous operation in western Oklahoma in September resulted in 120 arrests after authorities contacted 520 vehicles near the Texas border.

Statewide ICE Authority for Troopers

Under Operation Guardian, all Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers have been credentialed under ICE’s 287(g) program, giving them authority to question, arrest, and detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally during routine traffic enforcement.

“This just gives them the ability that if in their normal course of duty, they run across somebody who is here illegally, then they have, one, the authority to question them about their immigration status, and then, two, to also take immigration enforcement based under federal law,” Commissioner Tipton explained.

I should note that 287(g) programs cause distrust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. 

Social Media Warnings Spread

Tipton reported that social media posts warned drivers as far away as North and South Carolina to reroute around Oklahoma because of Operation Guardian enforcement activities.

Anyone arrested in Operation Guardian should seek the advice of a competent immigration lawyer. We can help. Call (405) 616-5999 today.