Operation Midway Blitz crackdown could tighten trucking capacity and push freight rates higher

Federal and state authorities in Indiana have arrested 223 undocumented individuals, including 146 semi-truck drivers, as part of Operation Midway Blitz, a coordinated enforcement effort between the Department of Homeland Security, Indiana State Police, and ICE. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the operation targeted drivers who had obtained commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) from states such as California, Illinois, and New York, despite being ineligible under federal immigration law. The move follows growing concern that lax state licensing policies may have allowed unauthorized individuals to operate commercial vehicles on U.S. highways, with Noem crediting former President Donald Trump for restoring stricter vetting and enforcement.

While the arrests mark a win for enforcement agencies, they also add pressure to an already fragile freight market. Removing drivers from circulation could constrict available capacity, particularly in lanes where freight has been oversupplied for months. Analysts warn that if similar crackdowns continue, a tighter driver pool could lift spot rates, but only if truckers collectively refuse to haul for cheap. Industry veterans emphasize that drivers should not settle for below-market rates, especially amid shrinking capacity and rising costs, arguing that fair compensation is the only sustainable path forward as the market begins to rebalance.