CDL or Red Flag? Terror Suspect Busted Behind the Wheel of a Big Rig

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Introduction

Imagine you’re driving I-70 through Kansas. You pass a rig that looks like any other — except the man behind the wheel has an international terror warrant on his name. That’s not a movie plot. It’s the real story behind the recent arrest of Akhror Bozorov, an Uzbek national with suspected jihadist ties, who managed to enter the U.S. illegally, gain work authorization, and even secure a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Former ICE Director Tom Homan isn’t just sounding the alarm — he’s slamming the system for letting it happen. And if you’re in trucking, this ain’t just a political story. It’s a freight security crisis, a licensing failure, and a warning sign all rolled into one.

The Breakdown

Akhror Bozorov entered the U.S. illegally in February 2023.

By January 2024, he had a Pennsylvania-issued CDL.

He was arrested in Kansas in November 2025 — while actively working as a commercial truck driver.

He’s wanted in Uzbekistan for alleged connections to terrorist propaganda and recruitment.

He was able to apply for work authorization and secure a CDL while under no federal detainment or heightened screening.

This isn't just an immigration lapse — it's a freight and public safety threat that now has the industry looking around asking, “Who else got through?”

Tom Homan’s Warning

Tom Homan isn’t mincing words. His message: we have no idea who’s behind the wheel anymore, and the system is wide open for abuse.

In his words:

“This is national security. Not just a border issue. This man had access to critical infrastructure, and we don’t know how many others slipped through.”

If you haul hazmat, run sensitive loads, or operate in high-density areas — you feel this more than most. It’s not just freight anymore. It’s what if they used that truck for something else?

What Went Wrong?

🧾 Licensing Gaps:
CDLs are state-issued. While there are federal standards, state DMVs don’t always have access to foreign criminal databases, or even consistent immigration data. That’s how someone with an open international warrant could get approved.

🛃 Immigration System Loopholes:
Bozorov was reportedly released into the U.S. after initial border detention — part of a larger backlog of asylum and immigration cases. With no detainer or flag in place, he moved freely through the system and applied for work like anyone else.

📉 Risk Assessment Failure:
The background checks in place clearly weren’t enough. The system checked for U.S. criminal history — but not international alerts. And it’s unclear whether any freight brokers or employers checked his background deeply enough either.

Why This Hits Trucking Hard

Whether you’re a driver or run a fleet, this story lands right in your lane.

CDL credibility just took a hit — the public trusts truckers to be vetted, trained, and safe. That trust is now shaky.

Fleets are exposed — imagine hiring someone who ends up on national news like this. Background checks aren’t optional anymore.

Drivers face more scrutiny — get ready for tougher inspections, new compliance steps, and extra DOT questions that you didn’t ask for.

What the Industry’s Saying

Some carriers are already reviewing internal screening policies — especially for drivers coming through immigration or alternative licensing paths.

Safety managers are asking:

Do we run federal background checks on all hires?

Are we validating immigration status or work authorization ourselves?

Can we access better driver vetting tools before the government tightens it all up?

Meanwhile, national security experts are calling for cross-agency data sharing and real-time flagging systems — so no one with a terror record ever gets behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler again.

Bottom Line

This isn’t about fearmongering. It’s about preventing the next incident. The trucking industry runs the country — and when the system lets someone dangerous slip through, everyone’s at risk.

Vet your drivers better than the state does.

Don’t assume a CDL means clean.

Push for real screening, not just paperwork.

And if you’re a driver, now’s the time to double down on your professionalism. Your CDL is a privilege. Stories like this remind the world why truckers need to be held — and hold themselves — to a higher standard.

Call to Action

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👉 Go to LifeAsATrucker.com
— for real talk, real resources, and no fluff.

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