Texas Highway Bust: 23 Migrants Found Hidden in Semi Truck Sleeper
A routine traffic stop on Interstate 35 in La Salle County, Texas, on November 28, 2025, revealed 23 undocumented migrants hidden in a semi-truck sleeper berth. The driver, 24-year-old John David Amaya, was arrested and now faces serious felony charges.
The truck was initially pulled over for driving on the improved shoulder. Amaya could not provide a valid commercial driver’s license, prompting officers to call for backup and a K-9 unit. The dog alerted them to the sleeper compartment where the migrants were found, hailing from several Central American countries and Mexico. The cramped space was not meant to accommodate so many people.
Amaya faces 23 counts of smuggling persons under Texas law, which was strengthened in 2023 and mandates severe penalties, including a minimum sentence of 10 years per count. The migrants were referred to U.S. Border Patrol for processing and face uncertain legal futures, including possible deportation.
Authorities noted that using semi-trucks for smuggling is a common tactic due to their large size and concealed compartments. Texas DPS conducts thousands of highway inspections each year to detect such activities. This incident underscores the risks undertaken by migrants and the persistent challenges law enforcement faces along the southern U.S. border.
