Thousands of Mexican Truckers Lose US Visas Amid Cabotage Crackdown

## Thousands of Mexican Truckers Lose US Visas Amid Cabotage Crackdown Thousands of Mexican truck drivers have had their US visas revoked following enforcement action targeting cabotage violations, according to FreightWaves' Borderlands Mexico report. The crackdown marks a significant escalation in US efforts to enforce regulations that prohibit foreign carriers from transporting goods between two domestic points within the United States. Cabotage rules are a cornerstone of domestic freight protection policy across North America, restricting cross-border carriers to international hauls and preventing them from competing directly with US-licensed operators on domestic routes. Violations occur when Mexican truckers, operating under cross-border authority, pick up and deliver loads between US cities rather than returning to Mexico after completing their international delivery. The scale of the visa revocations — affecting thousands of drivers — signals a notably more aggressive posture from US regulators and could create near-term capacity disruptions along key US-Mexico trade corridors, particularly in high-volume freight markets such as Texas, California, and Arizona. The enforcement action comes as the United States and Mexico have completed their first round of talks under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review process, according to FreightWaves. The timing adds a layer of complexity to bilateral trade relations at a moment when both governments are negotiating the terms of the landmark trade deal's continuation. For the broader freight and logistics industry, the developments underscore the regulatory risks facing cross-border supply chains. Shippers and logistics providers that rely heavily on Mexican carrier capacity for transborder movements may need to reassess their carrier networks and compliance protocols in light of the enforcement trend. In related news reported by FreightWaves, cold chain logistics provider RealCold has acquired SCL Cold Chain, a move that reflects continued consolidation in the temperature-controlled freight sector serving cross-border agricultural and perishable goods trade between the US and Mexico. Industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the visa revocations prompt retaliatory measures or further complicate the ongoing USMCA review discussions, which are expected to shape North American trade policy for years to come.