Mexican Truckers Lose Visas in Cabotage Crackdown

Trucks on the Mexican side of the border prepare to enter the U.S. at the Otay Mesa port of entry. (TT File Photo)

Two Mexican truckers recently had their visas yanked for cabotage as U.S. border agents reportedly intensified a crackdown, revoking hundreds of visas in less than a week.

A San Diego business organization near California’s busiest commercial land port of entry with Mexico recently issued a public notification about supply chain implications linked to Mexican truckers having their visas revoked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents for cabotage.

Cabotage laws ensure the transport of cargo and passengers between two points within the U.S. is handled by legally permitted carriers or drivers. Specifically, commercial truck drivers holding B-1 business-visitor visas can haul freight between the U.S. and Mexico but are prohibited from domestic U.S. transport of goods, even if those goods were foreign in origin.

“Hundreds of visas for Mexican drivers have been revoked in the past few days across the U.S. Mexico border,” the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce cautioned April 29. “Apparently, drivers are being scrutinized for past violations that can go back as long as three years.”

Transport Topics contacted CBP, but the agency had not provided a statement by press time.

The chamber also identified another way a Mexican trucker can lose the ability to deliver goods into the U.S.

“Just to point out another violation which is also a reason for revocation: If your drivers have B-1 visas, they are not allowed to cross to the U.S. without their truck and/or for other unrelated business activities,” the chamber explained.

Trucker Awareness

It urged companies to make sure Mexican truckers know about cabotage and have required documents to prove they are abiding by U.S. law.

It added that Mexican “drivers are being asked to sign a declaration when crossing the border if they have committed cabotage. It is very important that you inform your drivers and provide them with the correct documentation of the international freight they are carrying.”

The chamber provided a list of cabotage rule violations in a May 2025 alert.

“Expect delays and increased pricing in trucking services since there will be a shortage of truck drivers across the U.S.-Mexican border,” the organization predicted.

In Arizona, CBP agents from the Tucson sector announced May 8 that a Mexican trucker had been apprehended for cabotage.

The driver was discovered to have a visitor visa “when he was caught transporting commodities” from Nogales, Ariz., on a 940-mile trip to Laredo, Texas, CBP noted. “As a result, the driver was processed, his visa card was revoked and the trailer was towed.”

CBP posted a social media warning that cabotage laws “are not optional and violations can be costly.”

Serious Penalties

Motor carriers or drivers violating federal transportation, immigration and customs regulations can incur serious penalties and face future restrictions in crossing over the U.S. border, CBP noted.

In April, a Mexican trucker was stopped in California at a checkpoint along state Route 78 near Palo Verde, close to the Arizona border.

CBP agents from Blythe determined the trucker was carrying a load of produce 1,250 miles from Yuma, Ariz., to Grandview, Wash.

Cabotage isn’t competition. It’s theft from hardworking truck drivers and motor carriers who play by the rules. For too long, this issue has been ignored in Washington, but the Trump Administration can change that. By enforcing the law, we can protect American workers.… — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) September 23, 2025

CBP stated the Mexican driver entered the U.S. on a nonimmigrant combination visa: B-1 for tourism and B-2 for a temporary business entry into the U.S. granted for attending a scientific, educational, professional or business convention/conference, settling an estate or negotiating a contract.

The driver was arrested for violating the conditions of his B-1/B-2 visa and “abusing the privilege of the visa issued to him,” the CBP Yuma Sector noted. “The visa was revoked, and he was processed for deportation.”

In December, U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents raided an Arizona trucking company suspected of participating in cabotage.

A month earlier, CBP noted it had detained two Mexican truck drivers illegally hauling domestic U.S. cargo and seized their commercial vehicles in separate incidents after conducting immigration checks along Interstate 19 in Arizona.

“The drivers were returned to Mexico and were informed that their border crossing cards would be processed for revocation due to violations of their visa terms,” CBP stated. “Drivers retrieved their personal belongings from the vehicles, which were subsequently towed. The truck owners were notified of the enforcement actions."