Oklahoma 'Operation Guardian' arrests 120 migrants
Oklahoma launched 'Operation Guardian,' a state-coordinated enforcement sweep along Interstate 40 near the Texas border that resulted in 120 people being turned over to ICE. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Department of Public Safety, at the direction of Gov. Kevin Stitt, said troopers encountered more than 500 people and found many commercial drivers with expired or unverifiable licenses; the plan expands state-ICE transfer agreements and implements a Rapid REPAT deportation pathway.
Immigration
Public Safety
🔍 Key Facts
- 120 people were arrested by Oklahoma troopers and handed over to ICE during the Interstate 40 operation.
- Troopers encountered more than 500 people; many drivers were operating 80,000-pound 18-wheelers with expired or unverifiable commercial licenses.
- The initiative—called Operation Guardian—was launched by Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and includes an expanded Rapid REPAT program and state-to-federal transfer agreements.
📍 Contextual Background
- ICE said Ruben Abelardo Ortiz-Lopez came onto ICE's radar after being arrested by local authorities in June 2024 on charges of assault and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.
- ICE identified the detained husband involved in the courthouse altercation as Ruben Abelardo Ortiz-Lopez and said he illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in March 2024.
- Two U.S. officials told CBS News that the ICE officer who was captured on video pushing the woman was returned to duty after a preliminary review of the incident.