Borderlands Mexico: US trucking crackdown raises concerns over freight disruptions

Borderlands Mexico is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week in Borderlands Mexico: US trucking crackdown raises concerns over freight disruptions; M2 Global Logistics launches in Houston; and Cutter & Buck opens new distribution center in Texas.

US trucking crackdown raises concerns over freight disruptions Stricter enforcement of U. S. trucking regulations is raising concerns about potential disruptions to cross-border freight, as American and Mexican transportation leaders warn that efforts to crack down on illegal operations must not create new obstacles for legitimate carriers.

The concerns emerged during two panel discussions at the International Road Transport Union’s (IRU) North American Transportation Forum, held during the 2026 National Convention of Mexico’s National Chamber of Freight Transportation (CANACAR) in Cancún. Representatives from the American Trucking Associations (ATA), U. S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Werner Enterprises and CANACAR discussed increased scrutiny of cabotage violations, B-1 visas, English-language proficiency requirements and commercial driver qualifications.

While participants generally supported stronger enforcement, several cautioned that inconsistent application of the rules could create delays, restrict driver availability and complicate freight movement between the United States and Mexico. U. S.

trucking executives back tougher enforcement Derek Leathers, chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises, said stronger enforcement is necessary to prevent foreign drivers from illegally transporting domestic freight within the U. S.

Under federal cabotage restrictions, foreign drivers may transport qualifying international shipments into and out of the United States but generally cannot haul domestic freight between two U. S. locations. Leathers supported federal efforts to address the misuse of B-1 business visitor visas by drivers performing unauthorized domestic trucking operations.

He also welcomed increased enforcement by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of English-language proficiency requirements, emphasizing the importance of drivers being able to communicate with law enforcement and other personnel while operating in the U. S.

The Trump administration has intensified enforcement of English-language proficiency standards for commercial drivers, alongside efforts to tighten oversight of driver licensing and training. Leathers’ comments reflect growing support among U. S. trucking executives for stricter enforcement against carriers and drivers operating outside federal requirements.

However, the discussions also highlighted concerns that increased scrutiny could affect compliant Mexican carriers engaged in legitimate international freight transportation.

ATA economist calls for fair enforcement ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello emphasized the need for consistent and proportionate enforcement, particularly as cross-border freight activity continues to recover.

Costello said North American cross-border trade rebounded in 2026 following a slight decline in 2025, underscoring the importance of maintaining efficient transportation links between the U. S. , Mexico and Canada. According to Mexican transportation publication Revista Transportes y Turismo, Costello also raised concerns that some U. S.

enforcement personnel may not fully understand the complexities of cabotage regulations. The potential for inconsistent interpretations could create uncertainty for Mexican carriers operating legally in the U. S.

Costello called for continued cooperation among transportation associations, regulators and industry representatives to ensure that enforcement efforts target violations without unnecessarily disrupting legitimate freight movements.

Mexican carriers warn of border delays CANACAR President Augusto Ramos Melo acknowledged the importance of combating illegal cabotage but warned that intensified border enforcement could create additional delays and operational challenges for Mexican trucking companies.

Ramos called for closer coordination among transportation companies, customs officials and other supply chain participants to improve border efficiency. His concerns come as Mexican carriers navigate tighter scrutiny of driver documentation, visa eligibility and compliance with U. S. transportation regulations.

For carriers operating across the southern border, additional inspections and documentation requirements can complicate driver scheduling, equipment positioning and delivery times.

Martin Rojas, IRU’s senior adviser for the Americas, moderated the discussions and emphasized the importance of balancing regulatory enforcement with the need to maintain an adequate supply of qualified drivers.

The discussions highlighted the challenge facing policymakers: strengthening compliance without undermining the transportation capacity needed to support North American trade. CBP outlines ne