Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol recently arrested more than 100 illegal immigrants in a three-day crackdown.

In an Oct. 6 statement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the operation targeted “threats to public safety along I-40 in Oklahoma.” It took place between Sept. 22 and Sept. 25.

“ICE ran records checks on foreign-born nationals that OHP encountered during patrol,” the DHS’s statement said. “As a result, 120 illegal aliens were taken into custody for immigration violations, 91 of which were operating a commercial motor vehicle with commercial driver’s licenses (CDL).”

OKLAHOMA GOV. STITT, ICE BUST 120 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN HIGHWAY CRACKDOWN, SLAMS BIDEN BORDER FAILURES

Among the 120 suspects, past convictions included DUIs, illegal re-entry into the U.S. and money laundering, as well as human smuggling and assault.

Some of the illegal immigrants were also convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a controlled substance.

Two suspects were also arrested in connection to a nearby cannabis grow site.

In a statement, ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said that the suspects had “no business operating 18 wheelers on America’s highways.”

Federal and state officers targeted commercial truck drivers during a multi-day immigration enforcement sweep in Oklahoma. (Getty Images)

“Our roads are now safer with these illegal aliens no longer behind the wheel,” said Sheahan. “We encourage more state and local law enforcement to sign 287(g) agreements to help remove public safety threats and receive reimbursement funds available to our law enforcement partners.” 

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The arrests came just weeks after a suspect, who was deported several times before, allegedly caused a DUI-related crash in California.

The DHS described the Oklahoma operation as part of a broader effort to address threats on major freight routes. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Norberto Celerino, 53, faces six counts of murder in relation to the Sept. 7 crash. He is accused of driving under the influence in Napa County.

Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes contributed to this report. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday on X that the Lone Star State’s elite National Guard units are deploying “now” after receiving a request to help protect federal property. 

In the brief post, Abbott wrote, “The elite Texas National Guard. Ever ready. Deploying now.” 

The short but commanding message underlines the governor’s confidence in the state’s ability and willingness to act in defense of the nation.

Texas officials say the deployment is being coordinated with the White House’s plans to reinforce security in several cities that have seen spikes in protests targeting federal facilities, including Chicago and Portland.

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President Donald Trump called for the additional support from cooperating states, saying that the troops would “protect federal workers and property from escalating threats.”

Democratic governors, however, are pushing back. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the move “an invasion,” and Oregon officials are seeking to block deployments through court orders.

“It started with federal agents. It will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will now involve sending in another state’s military troops,” Pritzker said.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott defended Trump’s decision, writing on X that he had “fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials.”

He added that federal and state leaders must “either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let the Texas Guard do it,” while praising the Guard’s “training, skill and expertise.”

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy 400 Texas National Guard troops to Illinois and Oregon. (Getty Images)

Legal challenges are continuing in some states, but in Texas, officials say they are ready. 

Abbott’s post has received millions of views within hours and struck a chord with supporters praising his decisive leadership.

As legal battles play out, the governor’s message remains simple: “Ever ready.”

A prominent Arizona drag queen has been arrested and charged with having sex with a 13-year-old boy whom he met via a dating application, according to a report. 

Michael Browder, 35, a drag performer known as Aubrey Ghalichi who has appeared at Phoenix Pride Festival, allegedly admitted having sex with the teen and told investigators he said he thought the boy was 18 or 19, according to court documents cited by ABC15.

The 13-year-old told investigators he posed as an 18-year-old on an online dating application and arranged for two adult men to meet him for sex at different times, according to court documents.  

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The boy told police he didn’t know the identities of the two men he met online, but investigators recovered one of the chats from his laptop and identified Browder as “a known Phoenix drag queen,” according to court records.

Browder was interviewed by Phoenix police on Sept. 16 when he allegedly admitted to meeting and having sex with the victim, telling police that he was under the impression the victim was 18 or 19 years old.

Browder said it was dark in the victim’s apartment “to the point that he was unable to ascertain the victim’s age,” per court records. 

Michael Browder, a Phoenix drag performer who goes by Aubrey Ghalichi, was arrested in September and charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, according to court records. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)

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He has been charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and was released on a $10,000 bond under conditions requiring GPS monitoring and prohibiting contact with children.

Browder’s attorney told Fox News Digital that she would not be commenting on the case.

Police have not identified or charged the second man the boy mentioned. 

Phoenix Pride has removed Browder from its upcoming festival lineup later this month.

Organizers said the alleged crime is “reprehensible and entirely contrary to what Phoenix Pride stands for.”

Phoenix Pride Festival in Phoenix on Oct. 22, 2023. (Nicole Mullen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)

“Out of respect for our community and in alignment with our values, Phoenix Pride has removed Aubrey Ghalichi from this year’s event lineup,” the event’s organizers said via a statement.

“It is important to emphasize that this individual has not been convicted of a crime. Their removal is based solely on the information currently available to us and our responsibility to ensure a safe and affirming environment for our community.”