Work Permit EAD Arrests: 52 Truck Drivers Detained in Arizona
They had work permits. They had commercial driver's licenses. They thought they were legal to work. But during one week in May 2026, 52 people — most of them semi-truck drivers — were arrested in Arizona and are now facing deportation. The reason: authorities say their Employment Authorization Documents, known as EADs, are no longer valid.
During the week of May 11–15, 2026, U.S. Border Patrol agents in Arizona's Yuma Sector arrested 52 people as part of an operation called Operation Checkmate. The operation targets people who are in the U.S. without legal status and are driving commercial trucks. Of the 52 arrested, 36 were operating semi-trucks at the time.
Who Was Arrested — and What Documents They Had
Of the 36 semi-truck drivers arrested, 29 had commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) issued by states including California, New York, Washington, and Virginia. Three had no driver's license at all. Thirty of the individuals were from India; the remaining six were from Mexico, El Salvador, and Russia. According to U.S. Border Patrol, most of those arrested had Employment Authorization Documents — commonly called EADs or work permits — that were issued during the Biden administration. Authorities say those EADs are no longer valid. All 52 people are being processed for deportation (removal from the U.S.).
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What the Government Says About EADs and Commercial Driving
The Department of Transportation issued a final rule to stop what officials describe as unqualified foreign nationals from obtaining licenses to drive commercial trucks and buses. U.S. Border Patrol says it is working with federal partners to enforce this rule. Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin W. Caudle stated that the operation is aimed at preventing deadly crashes and removing people who are unlawfully present from operating commercial vehicles. The agency says this enforcement will continue.
What to Do
- Check your EAD expiration date right now. If your work permit (EAD) was issued under a program that has since been ended or changed, talk to an immigration lawyer immediately to find out if it is still valid.
- Do not assume your documents are still good. Even if your EAD card has a future expiration date printed on it, the underlying program may have been terminated. An immigration lawyer can confirm your current status.
- If you are arrested or detained, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. Do not sign any documents before speaking with an attorney. Ask for a lawyer immediately.
- If you drive a commercial vehicle for work, get legal advice before your next shift. Driving with an invalid work permit or CDL could lead to arrest, removal proceedings, and deportation.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
If your EAD was tied to a program that has since been rescinded or is under legal challenge, your authorization to work may have ended even if the physical card has not expired — this is a critical distinction that many people miss. If you are placed in removal proceedings (the formal legal process that can lead to deportation), you have the right to appear before an immigration judge and present a defense, including any pending applications or appeals. Do not sign a voluntary departure or removal order without first speaking with an immigration attorney, as doing so can affect your ability to return to the U.S. in the future.