US Federal Operation Removes 800 Unsafe Truck Drivers, Union Sues Over Autonomous Trucks in California

From July 28‑30, 2025, a federal enforcement sweep called Operation Highway Shield took 766 unsafe commercial drivers and vehicles off U.S. highways. Inspectors from DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and state patrols detained 51 illegal immigrants, arrested 86 operators for dangerous conduct and recovered nearly $1 million in stolen cargo. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said, “When illegal aliens are behind the wheels of semi‑trucks, they are putting American lives in danger,” and DOT Secretary Sean Duffy linked the action to a presidential directive to secure roads and eliminate fraud.

Separately, the Teamsters union filed a lawsuit in Alameda County challenging the California DMV’s plan to fast‑track autonomous commercial trucks over 10,000 lb on public roads. The union argues the rule change violates the California Administrative Procedure Act, lacks an economic impact analysis, and could “wipe out the jobs of more than 200,000 employee semi‑truck drivers.” The complaint also targets the DMV’s amendment of light‑duty autonomous‑vehicle regulations, which would enable companies such as Aurora Innovation Inc. to expand driverless‑truck operations in the state.