Nearly 40 Arrested in Thruway Immigration Sting, Many Were Licensed Truck Drivers

By Yisroel R.

Federal authorities carried out a four-day immigration operation along the New York State Thruway earlier this month, resulting in 37 arrests. Most of the men taken into custody were commercial truck drivers who held valid CDL licenses despite allegedly being in the country illegally.

The multi-agency operation, called “Operation Bear Cave,” took place from November 8 to 11 and focused on rest areas and truck stops between Buffalo and Syracuse. U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeted individuals suspected of living in the United States illegally, especially those operating commercial vehicles along Interstate 90.

According to Border Patrol, 30 of the 37 men arrested were licensed truck drivers with CDLs issued in states including New York, California, New Jersey, Florida and Ohio. Authorities say there is growing concern that, beyond immigration issues, some of these drivers may also have additional criminal histories or other violations connected to their work on the road.

The men were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings and are being held at the federal detention center in Batavia. Border Patrol did not release their names or specify the individual charges.

The agency also posted a compilation of mugshots on social media with the caption “Deportation is FINAL.” Each image had a black bar covering the eyes to prevent identification.

A spokesperson for Governor Kathy Hochul commented on the operation, saying the state supports enforcement efforts focused on violent criminals but does not support broad sweeps that target families, children or hardworking New Yorkers.