Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Nov. 21, 2025:
Texas, New York join trucking immigration crackdown in recent enforcement efforts
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced the apprehension of 31 illegal immigrant truck drivers, mostly licensed out of California, along I-40 during a one-day, joint commercial vehicle enforcement (CVE) operation by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and federal law enforcement.
The operation on Nov. 11 focused on identifying individuals with suspicious commercial driver licenses during commercial vehicle inspections. DPS CVE troopers were joined by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for the one-day operation in Wheeler County.
During the 105 commercial vehicle inspections, troopers were unable to verify the lawful presence of 31 drivers despite being presented with CDLs. Those drivers were referred to ICE to have their lawful presence verified. It was determined that all 31 individuals were in the country illegally.
A majority of the CDLs presented to troopers by those 31 illegal immigrants were issued out of California, and none were issued in Texas, a press release from Abbott’s office said.
"Millions of Texans drive on our highways, roads, and streets every day," Abbott said. "When illegal immigrants break the law and illegally drive on our roads, they endanger the lives of countless Texans and Americans. This joint state and federal operation along one of the nation’s longest transcontinental highways removed illegal drivers and unsafe vehicles from Texas roads.”
In New York, U.S. Border Patrol agents recently announced arrests of 30 “illegal aliens” operating commercial vehicles with state-issued CDLs on Interstate 90 – the New York State Thruway – in the vicinity of western New York.
From Nov. 8-11, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Buffalo Station assisted by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted immigration inspections in more than 10 locations along the western portion of the Thruway.
Agents discovered what it called 30 illegal aliens possessing valid CDLs from the states of California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. An additional seven individuals were also arrested who were not operating commercial vehicles. All 37 males were arrested, processed and turned over to the custody of ICE for deportation proceedings.
Immigration enforcement efforts in other states, including Oklahoma and Indiana, have also targeted truck drivers in recent months.
[Related: Will CDL crackdown spur COVID-era 'free-for-all' for truck drivers?]
First group of Amazon truck drivers joins Teamsters
Amazon CDL drivers at the Amazon Fulfillment Center (SDF9) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, have become the first group of Amazon semi-truck and tractor-trailer drivers nationwide to join the Teamsters. The Amazon Transportation Operations Management (TOM) Team drivers chose representation by Teamsters Local 89.
“Local 89 couldn’t be prouder to welcome Amazon TOM Team drivers at SDF9 to our family,” said Avral Thompson, President of Local 89 and Teamsters Central Region International Vice President. “Our new brothers and sisters are making history by becoming the first unit of Amazon tractor-trailer drivers to unionize – but they will not be the last. Amazon Teamsters are on the frontlines fighting back against this greedy corporate giant.”
The drivers, who transport freight across Amazon properties and facilities, have been quietly organizing for more than a year to prevent Amazon from union busting, the Teamsters said in a press release.
The new Teamsters members are fighting for industry-standard pay, improved working conditions, and an end to Amazon’s pattern of instituting arbitrary new policies.
“We’re joining the Teamsters to protect our rights and fight for a better future for ourselves, our families, and every Amazon TOM Team member,” said Jeffrey King, a TOM Team driver at SDF9. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in a warehouse or driving a truck, Amazon treats all its workers as disposable. We are ready to take this fight across the country and make Amazon understand the strength of worker power.”
The Kentucky drivers join nearly 10,000 Amazon workers across five states who have organized with the Teamsters.
PrePass expands weigh station bypass mobile app to Vermont
PrePass Safety Alliance on Wednesday announced the introduction of its PrePass weigh station bypass Mobile App offering in Vermont, allowing qualified commercial trucks to bypass at highway speeds, reducing delays at two key enforcement locations: Putney (I-91 Southbound) and Fair Haven (State Route 4 Eastbound).
The launch of the service was made possible through a partnership with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, expanding the tools available to officers who protect the state’s roads and freight corridors.
The PrePass Mobile App allows qualified carriers to receive bypass decisions and customizable safety alerts directly on their mobile or telematics device without requiring additional hardware. As trucks approach an inspection site, the app securely transmits safety scores, credential information, and other compliance data to enforcement officers. Vehicles that meet Vermont’s safety and credential standards may be cleared to continue at highway speeds, while officers can focus their attention on carriers that may present a higher risk.
“Bringing our mobile app bypass technology to Vermont enhances both safety and efficiency for everyone on the road,” said Mark Doughty, President & CEO of PrePass Safety Alliance. “The ability to screen trucks with digital infrastructure strengthens enforcement capability while reducing unnecessary stops for carriers who do things the right way. We’re proud to support Vermont’s efforts to modernize freight movement across the state.”
The two launch locations serve important regional and interstate freight corridors, connecting Vermont to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York.
“This technology gives our officers another effective tool to keep Vermont’s highways safe,” said Captain Matthew Nesto of the Vermont DMV Enforcement. “By using digital screening, we can direct our attention to where it’s needed most while helping compliant carriers move efficiently through the state. It’s a practical, data-driven approach that benefits both public safety and the trucking community.”
The introduction of the PrePass Mobile App in Vermont marks its 47th jurisdiction and adds momentum to the Alliance’s broader effort to expand digital bypass solutions throughout the Northeast and at more than 586 locations across North America.
