NEW: Penske issues statement condemning use of trucks for DHS immigration raids, was silent on use of trucks for human smuggling

Penske Truck Rental issued a statement Wednesday distancing itself from the use of its vehicles in a recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration raid in Los Angeles, despite remaining silent on a previous incident where a Penske truck was used in an alleged human smuggling operation.

“Penske Truck Rental is aware of recent reports and videos regarding a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation in Los Angeles,” the company said. “Penske strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances. The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in today’s operation and did not authorize this. Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future.”

The response comes after footage emerged showing DHS agents using a Penske box truck during an enforcement operation to target illegal immigrants. The operation was conducted around 7 am on Wednesday near a Home Depot in Los Angeles. DHS officials told Fox News that an MS-13 gang had a hold on the area, which is why the raid was carried out at that specific location. 16 individuals were taken into custody.

Following Penske’s statement, DHS fired back on X, posting, “Care to remind the American people what Penske said when this happened? Silence speaks volumes.” The post included a screenshot of a headline from 2023, when Border Patrol agents discovered 58 illegal immigrants crammed inside a Penske truck during a human smuggling attempt.

DHS added, “The brave agents of [ICE] and [CBP] will continue carrying out their mission to protect Americans.”

In 2023, the Texas Department of Public Safety found 58 migrants crammed into the back of a Penske truck. The driver, Marquez Oviel, was an illegal immigrant from Mexico and was arrested for human smuggling charges. 

Users on social media blasted Penske for speaking out against DHS using their trucks for immigration operations, while previously being silent on the trucks being used for human smuggling across the border. Additionally, users pointed out that Roger Penske, founder and chairman of the Penske Corporation, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump in 2019.