ICE detains 13 immigrants at licensing center after neighbors’ alert

ICE DMV arrests

DMV operation raises questions

Neighbors alert police

Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 13 people on Friday in Armstrong County.

The operation took place at a driver’s license center, according to the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to CBS News.

The ICE DMV arrests were carried out outside the center located in West Kittanning.

Authorities described those detained as “illegal immigrants.”

ICE carries out multiple arrests at Pennsylvania DMV

NEW: ICE pulled off a mass arrest in Pennsylvania today by tricking dozens of people without legal status into coming to the DMV under the guise of renewing their CDLs pic.twitter.com/AguoAS4MOv

— Crime Net (@TRIGGERHAPPYV1) April 4, 2026

The group consisted of individuals from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that one of the detainees resisted arrest.

According to the same agency, the individual also assaulted a local officer during the ICE DMV operation.

The incident remains under investigation, as confirmed by DHS.

Neighbors alerted authorities over unusual activity

NEW DETAILS OUT OF PENNSYLVANIA

What started as a crowded DMV situation just took a turn –

13 people were arrested at the Kittanning licensing center
Authorities say they were in the country illegally
And one is now facing charges for assaulting an officer

Countries mentioned… https://t.co/0KhutP2MOr pic.twitter.com/aBPNvob5xo

— Tony Lane (@TonyLaneNV) April 5, 2026

Before the ICE DMV operation, local residents noticed unusual activity.

Long lines were reported inside the building, along with a parking lot full of trucks with trailers.

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Gary Klingensmith, a Pennsylvania neighbor, said he tried to contact ICE that morning after watching the situation at the DMV.

He explained that he was struck by the presence of many people who did not speak English.

Although he was unable to reach ICE, local police did receive reports.

The East Franklin Police Department notified federal authorities.

DHS stated that concerned citizens alerted them about the unusually high number of people.

Klingensmith described unusual scenes involving the parked trucks.

He said that several people were coming out of trailers in large groups.

He also claimed that some ran through his yard when the ICE arrests began at the DMV.

Another witness, Ryan Moore, said he did not observe suspicious activity.

He stated that people were holding documents before ICE arrived.

Moore said he saw agents detain several individuals at the location.

Possible confusion over DMV services

So far, it is unclear why so many people were at that location.

The group Frontline Dignity offered a possible explanation in a statement.

They indicated that an error on a website may have directed people to the wrong place.

According to their statement, the center does not offer in-person commercial license renewals.

Frontline Dignity noted that this service is not available at that DMV office.

The group focuses on responding to incidents related to ICE operations.

It also provides training for communities on how to respond to such situations.

KDKA-TV found a sign related to DOT/CDL exams in the area.

However, the sign was located at a chiropractic office, not inside the DMV.

This may have contributed to confusion about the services available at the site.

DHS reiterated that the case remains under investigation and did not provide further details.

The situation has generated uncertainty among residents and local organizations.