13 Foreign Drivers Detained During Pennsylvania CDL Medical Certificate Processing

Key Details U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 13 foreign truck drivers at the West Kittanning Driver License Center in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania on April 3. The drivers were among over 100 individuals waiting to submit non-domiciled CDL medical certificates when local residents reported the large gathering of semi-trucks to East Franklin Township Police. Why It Matters The detained drivers came from Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. According to ICE, one detainee resisted arrest and assaulted an officer during the operation. Multiple drivers reportedly fled through residential yards to escape, creating a chaotic scene in the rural community located 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Response from Authorities Pennsylvania Department of Transportation confirmed it did not coordinate with federal officials regarding the enforcement action. The agency emphasized that the large crowd resulted from routine processing of medical form updates for current non-domiciled CLP and CDL holders, and that all activity remains compliant with state and federal law. Background The incident comes after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ordered states to halt new non-domiciled CDL issuance last September. An appeals court later stayed that action, allowing processing to continue.