(OKLAHOMA) An Indian national whose New York commercial driver’s license listed the name “No Name Given Anmol” was arrested in western Oklahoma after a highway inspection led state troopers to contact federal agents, authorities said. The driver, identified by officials as Anmol Anmol, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on September 23, 2025, and placed in removal proceedings.
According to officials, Anmol crossed the border without authorization in 2023 and was released into the United States during the Biden administration before later obtaining a Class A CDL in New York.

The traffic stop and immigration referral
The stop happened at a truck scale on Interstate 40 during a routine safety inspection by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers ran the driver’s information and, after discovering he was in the country illegally, contacted ICE.
Agents arrived, detained him, and began the immigration process that typically starts with a Notice to Appear in immigration court. ICE places respondents into proceedings by issuing Form I-862, Notice to Appear—the charging document that lists the government’s claims and sets the case before an immigration judge. Readers can review the official form here: Form I-862, Notice to Appear.
The New York CDL: unusual naming convention
Officials familiar with the case said the New York-issued CDL carried an unusual naming convention: the printed name field read “No Name Given Anmol,” rather than a full legal name.
- The license was a Class A CDL, issued in April 2025 and valid until May 2028.
- It bore a star in the top right corner, signaling the card was marked REAL ID compliant, a designation typically used to show that state-issued IDs meet federal security standards.
Questions over the New York license
The wording on the license has drawn sharp criticism from federal officials who say it raises compliance questions under the REAL ID Act of 2005. That law requires, among other elements, that state driver’s licenses and IDs display an individual’s full legal name. The Department of Homeland Security’s public guidance on the program is available here: DHS REAL ID.
“Allowing illegal aliens to obtain commercial driver’s licenses to operate 18-wheelers and transport hazardous materials on America’s roads is reckless and incredibly dangerous to public safety,” said Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.
She added: “New York is not only failing to check if applicants applying to drive 18-wheelers are U.S. citizens but even failing to obtain the full legal names of individuals they are issuing commercial drivers’ licenses to.”
The license’s label “No Name Given Anmol,” combined with the REAL ID star, has become a focal point because it brings together two sensitive issues: state-level driver licensing rules and federal identity standards that states must follow to earn REAL ID certification.
For truckers, a Class A CDL allows operation of the heaviest commercial vehicles, including multi-axle tractor-trailers that move freight long distances. Licensing accuracy matters because employers, safety officers, and insurers rely on name matching for:
- background checks
- compliance audits
- crash or citation tracking across states
New York officials were not immediately quoted in the materials reviewed for this report, and the state’s reaction to the specific “No Name Given Anmol” entry was not available. However, immigration lawyers note that commercial licensing systems are designed to verify identity to a high standard, in part because commercial drivers frequently cross state lines and carry high-value or sensitive cargo.
When a card bears a REAL ID mark but does not reflect a full legal name, critics argue it can undermine confidence in the broader verification system.
Practical impacts of name inconsistencies
From an applicant’s point of view, name inconsistencies can cause day-to-day problems:
- Payroll records, safety training certificates, employment contracts, and insurance papers may use different name formats.
- Mismatches can trigger delays, audits, or even denials of access at secure facilities.
- For noncitizen workers, name variations complicate immigration court filings and later applications that require consistent identity records.
Operation Guardian: enforcement sweep and results
The arrest took place during a larger enforcement action known as Operation Guardian, a three-day effort conducted between September 22–25, 2025, along I-40 in western Oklahoma. The operation was a joint effort of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and ICE.
Officials say the sweep resulted in:
- 120 individuals detained who were in the country illegally, including 91 driving commercial motor vehicles with CDLs.
- A later update from Governor Kevin Stitt put the total arrests tied to the operation at 125, representing nationals from India, Uzbekistan, China, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Mauritania.
Governor Stitt said: “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.”
Authorities also cited prior convictions among some arrestees, including:
- DUIs
- illegal re-entry
- money laundering
- human smuggling
- assault
- conspiracy to distribute cocaine
- possession of controlled substances
Consequences for carriers and supply chains
For drivers and carriers, roadside inspections can trigger immigration checks, especially during multi-agency operations. Consequences include:
- Immediate disruption to delivery schedules.
- Freight delays while shippers send relief drivers, arrange tow services, or secure yard storage.
- Long-term impacts on safety ratings, insurance premiums, and business relationships.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the “No Name Given Anmol” case shows how one state’s licensing choices can have ripple effects beyond its borders. When a driver with a New York CDL moves freight through other states, local enforcement agencies interact with the ID card and rely on the integrity of its data. Inconsistent information invites scrutiny at scale houses and roadside stops, raising the likelihood of administrative holds and immigration referrals.
Policy observers note this case highlights an intersection between federal immigration enforcement under President Biden and state-level document policies. Federal agencies decide whether to release or detain migrants after arrival, while states control how they issue driver’s licenses and commercial certifications. The two systems meet on the nation’s roads.
Practical steps to reduce risk
For immigrant drivers and their employers, suggested practical steps include:
- Keep identity documents consistent across all records (CDL, medical cards, employment contracts, payroll, insurance).
- Confirm that any Class A CDL reflects the full legal name and matches other documents letter for letter.
- Train dispatchers and safety managers on how to respond quickly if a driver is detained during inspection, including arranging safe, lawful custody of the vehicle and cargo.
- Consult qualified immigration counsel if a driver is placed in removal proceedings; early legal guidance matters because timelines and options are case-specific.
Broader debate and concluding observations
While public safety is the stated driver behind Operation Guardian, the sweep has become part of a national debate over state licensing standards and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Supporters argue the combination of commercial trucking and unlawful presence poses unacceptable risks on interstate highways. Critics worry about labor shortages in freight—though such broader labor issues were not addressed in materials tied to this operation.
The central facts remain:
- Troopers’ inspection at a western Oklahoma scale house led to the detention of Anmol after record checks.
- His New York CDL labeled “No Name Given Anmol” has spurred questions about compliance.
- The arrest was one piece of a three-day multi-agency sweep that netted over 100 arrests from several countries.
Drivers who face immigration court after an arrest can expect to receive the government’s charges on the Form I-862
and must attend hearings before an immigration judge. Missing a hearing can result in an order of removal in absentia. Carriers whose drivers are detained should prepare for supply-chain adjustments and communicate promptly with shippers about contingency plans.
State officials in Oklahoma say they will continue joint operations to enforce state and federal laws. Federal officials have signaled that conflicts between REAL ID compliance and state licensing practices—especially regarding name integrity—will draw attention.
For the trucking sector, this episode is a reminder that ID standards and immigration status are not abstract policy points—they play out on the pavement, one inspection at a time. A smooth trip through a weigh station often depends on clean, consistent records. For a commercial driver operating under a Class A CDL, the stakes are high: enforcement actions can halt loads, trigger expensive delays, and, for noncitizens without status, lead into removal proceedings.
As Operation Guardian fades from the week’s headlines, the daily reality continues on I-40 and beyond. Inspectors still review logbooks, weigh loads, and scan licenses. When a name on a card raises questions, the road can change quickly—from a routine check to a custody transfer and a court date. In that space between the scale house and the courthouse, policy decisions made in distant capitals show up in the most practical way: a driver’s name, printed on a plastic card, and whether it meets the standards the law requires.
This Article in a Nutshell
Oklahoma Highway Patrol stopped a commercial tractor-trailer at an I-40 scale house and, after record checks, referred driver Anmol Anmol to ICE. Arrested on September 23, 2025, Anmol was placed in removal proceedings. The driver held a New York Class A CDL issued in April 2025 that displayed the unusual entry “No Name Given Anmol” yet bore the REAL ID star. Federal officials say the labeling raises compliance concerns under the REAL ID Act of 2005, which requires full legal names. The arrest was part of Operation Guardian (Sept. 22–25, 2025), a joint I-40 sweep that detained 120–125 people, including 91 commercial drivers. The incident underscores operational disruptions for carriers and renewed scrutiny of state licensing practices; employers and drivers are advised to maintain consistent identity records and seek counsel if detained.