Officials say the 31-year-old was taken into custody in Kansas on Nov. 9 while working as a licensed commercial truck driver.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an Uzbekistan national wanted in his home country on terrorism charges while he was driving an 18-wheeler in Kansas on Nov. 9, federal officials said Monday. The 31-year-old, identified as Akhror Bozorov, was booked into ICE custody after the stop, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The case matters because it combines a national-security alert with routine infrastructure work: a long-haul driver operating heavy equipment on public roads. Homeland Security says Uzbek authorities issued a 2022 warrant for Bozorov over alleged membership in a terrorist organization, and U.S. officials describe him as a “wanted terrorist.” The announcement comes as federal and state agencies debate rules around commercial driver licensing for noncitizens and as ICE emphasizes arrests of people it labels public-safety threats. Immediate questions include how the man entered the United States, what U.S. charges—if any—he faces beyond immigration violations, and whether Uzbekistan will seek extradition.
Federal officials said the arrest happened Nov. 9 in Kansas while Bozorov was working as a commercial truck driver. According to DHS, he entered the United States without authorization in February 2023, was initially taken into Border Patrol custody, and was later released. The department said work authorization followed in January 2024. In a statement Monday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called Bozorov “a wanted terrorist” and said, “This should go without saying, but terrorist illegal aliens should not be operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways,” adding that ICE has prioritized cases it considers national-security threats. The department did not disclose the carrier he worked for, the precise highway location of the stop, or the cargo in the trailer at the time of the arrest.
Officials said Uzbekistan’s 2022 warrant accuses Bozorov of belonging to a terrorist organization and of sharing online propaganda calling for jihad and recruiting people to join the movement. DHS said Pennsylvania issued him a commercial driver’s license while he was living in the state, and records reviewed by the department indicated he later drove routes that included Kansas. A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesperson said the state issues driver’s licenses to non-U.S. citizens only when they provide documents showing lawful presence and that immigration records are checked against a federal verification system before a license is approved. It was not immediately clear which documents Bozorov presented at the time of his licensing or whether any subsequent status updates were flagged to the state.
The announcement arrives amid an ongoing push by federal authorities to publicly highlight arrests of people labeled as “criminal illegal aliens” or security risks. Homeland Security did not say whether explosives, weapons, or contraband were found with Bozorov at the time of his arrest, and it did not list any U.S. criminal charges beyond immigration-related violations. Officials also did not say whether the Uzbek government has formally requested extradition. ICE has not released a timeline for any interview with Uzbek security services or for confirming the specific group the suspect is alleged to have supported. The agency said more details could be provided in future updates once investigative steps are completed.
In recent months, commercial trucking and immigration policy have intersected repeatedly in public debate, including after fatal crashes and enforcement sweeps that drew attention to who qualifies for a commercial driver’s license and how federal work-authorization decisions interact with state licensing. National trucking trade publications noted that the Kansas arrest follows federal efforts to examine licensing systems and the vetting of noncitizen drivers. Immigration records around commercial drivers have also been a point of friction between federal and state leaders, who disagree over whether certain restrictions are permissible and how quickly agencies should share data relevant to licensing decisions.
Homeland Security said Bozorov remains in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings. The department did not release a charging document Monday but said the arrest was handled by Enforcement and Removal Operations personnel with assistance from other DHS units. Next procedural steps typically include a review by an immigration judge, potential bond determinations, and coordination with foreign authorities if an extradition request is transmitted. Officials said they expect to provide scheduling details for any initial hearings once they are docketed. DHS added that any removal case would proceed under existing statutes, with the outcome dependent on court findings and any protection claims raised by the respondent.
On Monday evening, DHS reiterated that the public-safety rationale for the arrest centered on the size and weight of commercial vehicles and the potential harm if a driver associated with extremist activity controls one. “Not only was Akhror Bozorov — a wanted terrorist — released into the country,” McLaughlin said, “but he was also given a commercial driver’s license.” Advocates for tighter licensing rules said the case shows gaps in verification systems; civil-liberties groups said they would watch for due-process protections in any removal proceedings. Truckers interviewed by regional outlets described the arrest as unsettling but said enforcement should focus on verified threats, not on drivers’ nationalities or statuses alone.
As of late Tuesday, officials said Bozorov was being held by ICE while agents coordinate with prosecutors and international partners. Hearing dates had not been posted. DHS said it would update the public when new records are filed or when there is a decision on detention status.
Author note: Last updated November 18, 2025.