The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, in conjunction with ICE agents, has apprehended 120 individuals in a joint operation near a port of entry close to the Texas border. According to reliable sources, this action, named ‘Operation Guardian’, is a concerted deportation effort initiated by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and the state’s Department of Public Safety.
The operation unfolded on Interstate 40, where the majority of the people detained were reportedly operating 18-wheeler trucks with licenses that could not be verified. Let’s examine the details. During the operation, officers interacted with over 500 individuals, with 120 subsequently handed over to ICE for further action.
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton voiced concerns about the findings, citing a significant safety risk. Many of the licenses had expired, some by nearly a decade, or were registered under a single name, complicating identification. “An 80,000-pound truck at 70 miles an hour isn’t going to be a minor crash,” said Tipton.
According to the Operation Guardian plan, Oklahoma currently houses approximately 525 undocumented individuals in its prisons, incurring a daily cost of $36,000. The plan further alleges that 30% of the crimes committed by these individuals are violent offenses against children, 20% are violent assaults, while 14% involve homicides or other violent deaths, and 7% are sex crimes. Most of these individuals are reportedly from Mexico (72%), followed by Guatemala, Honduras, and Vietnam.
Governor Stitt has stated that the operation intends to expedite the transfer of undocumented offenders from state and county custody into federal deportation proceedings. This comes in response to what he describes as years of federal neglect. It is worth noting that the plan expands ICE agreements, allowing some state and local officers to detain and transfer offenders. It also facilitates a Rapid REPAT program, enabling eligible inmates to bypass appeals and move directly into deportation proceedings.
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In the broader context, Commissioner Tipton underscored that the operation was not solely about immigration policy but also about safeguarding families on Oklahoma’s roads and in its communities. “Operation Guardian is a direct response to the threat these criminals pose to our citizens,” Tipton said.
This operation signifies a coordinated effort by state and federal agencies to address both immigration policy and public safety concerns. As always, we remind you to stay informed and keep abreast of the ongoing developments in this story.
