U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested multiple illegal aliens operating commercial vehicles along Interstates 90 and 81 in New York during Thanksgiving week as part of an ongoing enforcement effort known as Operation Bear Cave, according to federal officials.
Border Patrol agents assigned to the Wellesley Island and Oswego stations conducted immigration inspections along the New York State Thruway and Interstate 81 near Syracuse, with support from Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations. Five illegal aliens were arrested in the central portion of the state, four of whom held valid commercial driver licenses issued by California, Indiana, and New Jersey. All five individuals were transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.
In a separate phase of Operation Bear Cave earlier in the month, Border Patrol agents from the Buffalo Station arrested 37 illegal aliens along Interstate 90 in western New York. Federal officials said 30 of those individuals were operating commercial vehicles and possessed commercial driver licenses issued by several states, including California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. Seven additional illegal aliens were arrested who were not operating commercial vehicles.
This week, ICE Buffalo carried out Operation Bear Cave, teaming up with U.S. Border Patrol to target illegal aliens operating commercial vehicles on I-90 across Western New York.
Agents removed 37 individuals in the country illegally – 30 of whom were driving with Commercial…
— Chrissy Casilio (@ChrissyCasilio) November 20, 2025
Acting Buffalo Sector Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato said the operation revealed an increasing number of illegal aliens unlawfully present in the country who are operating large commercial vehicles on major roadways. He said the trend raises significant public safety concerns, noting that limited English proficiency in some drivers poses a risk when operating heavy vehicles that require a high level of skill and understanding of traffic laws.
D’Amato pointed to recent major accidents nationwide involving drivers without lawful status as evidence of the need for continued enforcement actions.
All individuals taken into custody were processed and transferred to ICE for deportation proceedings. Border Patrol officials said Operation Bear Cave will continue as agents conduct additional inspections along major transportation corridors in New York.
