OKLAHOMA –
There are inconsistencies between state and federal agencies surrounding an immigrant who was arrested while driving through Oklahoma.
Governor Kevin Stitt first brought attention to the man’s New York driver’s license on Sept. 29, posting on social media a picture of an ID that showed the man’s name as “No Name Given.”
Stitt’s post says, “If New York wants to hand out CDLs to illegal immigrants with ‘No Name Given,’ that’s on them. The moment they cross into Oklahoma, they answer to our laws. OHP performed an enforcement action along I-40 and apprehended 125 illegal immigrants. This is keeping Oklahomans safe.”
ICE arrested the man last month.
The Department of Homeland Security on Oct. 10 posted a picture of the commercial driver’s license, with fewer redactions than what Stitt initially posted.
The CDL shows it was issued to “Anmol No Name Given.”
New York DMV: The individual has lawful status, ID was issued properly
New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles said the ID in question was issued in April of this year. The DMV said it was issued properly and said it verified the man’s identity through federally issued documentation.
In an emailed statement, the New York DMV says,
“This commercial driver’s license was issued in accordance with all proper procedures, including verification of the individual’s identity through federally issued documentation. The individual has lawful status in the United States through a federal employment authorization and was issued a license consistent with federal guidelines. It is not uncommon for individuals from other countries to have only one name. Procedures for that are clearly spelled out in the US Citizenship and Immigration Services policy manual, and it is important to note that federal documents also include a ‘no name given’ notation.”
The DMV provided a redacted example of what a federal employment authorization card used in the CDL application process looks like.
The DMV said this is not Anmol’s card, but it is an example and shows “No Name Given.”
What is not publicly known is if Anmol’s immigration status changed between April, and his arrest in September.
Governor’s Office Response
In response to the DMV’s information, a spokesperson for Governor Kevin’s Stitt said in an email, “ICE says he’s here illegally, so not sure how NY’s statement is accurate. Federal immigration laws must be enforced and Governor Stitt will not tolerate illegal activity in our state.”
DHS & ICE: Records Checks Show “Anmol is an Illegal Alien”
In a press release, DHS says ICE arrested Anmol on September 23rd, during an inspection at a truck scale on I-40 in Oklahoma.
It says, “records checks conducted by ICE revealed Anmol is an illegal alien” but did not say what his immigration status is right now.
The release says Anmol is from India, and he entered the U.S. illegally in 2023.
It says he was “released by the Biden administration into the country,” but provides nothing specific about what that means, or when it happened.
You can read the full press release here.
OHP Response
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol emailed a statement on its partnership with ICE for the program 287(g) program.
“The Oklahoma Highway Patrol will remain vigilant in enforcing laws that prohibit illegal aliens from operating commercial motor vehicles in our state. As Governor Stitt has stated publicly, if other states choose to issue commercial driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, that is their decision. Once they enter Oklahoma, we will enforce the law in partnership with ICE.
Issuing commercial driver’s licenses without proper vetting, including verifying a person’s true identity, is a reckless decision, and we hope to see that change soon. In the meantime, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will continue strict enforcement to help prevent tragedies on our roadways, whether that means a serious traffic collision or, at worst, the use of an 80,000-pound vehicle for more nefarious purposes. We know that our actions could save a life, and that is a responsibility we take seriously.
We have always stood for the rule of law in Oklahoma, and we will continue to do so to protect law-abiding Oklahomans and everyone traveling through our state.”
What We Don’t Know
News On 6 asked DHS and ICE for clarity on the situation. Our questions include:
- What was Anmol arrested for?
- Did his immigration status change after he obtained his New York license?
News On 6 asked Governor Stitt for an interview and has not heard back.
The New York State DMV declined to talk on camera.
