25,000 visas revoked: Mexican truckers blockade US border
The dispute has disrupted freight flows between Mexico and the US, with industry leaders warning of further economic fallout if protocols are not clarified.
The crackdown stems from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement of cabotage rules, which prohibit foreign carriers from transporting goods between two points within the US.
Alfonso Millán Chávez, CANACAR’s delegate for Tijuana, Tecate, and Playas de Rosarito, said the organisation is seeking urgent meetings with US and Mexican officials to establish clearer protocols. “The current challenge is the revocation of visas for cabotage issues,” Millán told El Sol de Tijuana. “Sometimes we have had problems with the interpretation, for example with an empty trailer. The empty trailer is there to be loaded with merchandise, and some officers interpret the empty trailer as merchandise.”
Why the visa dispute is disrupting US-Mexico trade: Mexican
The B-1 visa allows Mexican truckers to haul international freight into and out of the US but prohibits domestic point-to-point movements. However, industry leaders argue that enforcement lacks consistency, with drivers losing visas after encounters with US officials without clear explanations. CANACAR’s estimates are based on member reports and social media, as the US government has not released official statistics. The economic impact is already visible.
Millán warned that the uncertainty is pushing drivers to the brink. “We understand the desperation of the drivers, and as a chamber and as an industry, I think we have been anticipating this over the last few months,” he said. “There hasn’t been a week when we haven’t raised the issue with various authorities in both Mexico and the United States.”
What the B-1 visa crackdown means for businesses and drivers
The revocation of B-1 visas has immediate consequences for both Mexican truckers and the companies that rely on them. For drivers, losing a visa means losing access to one of the most lucrative routes in North America.
For businesses, particularly those operating in the maquiladora sector, the dispute disrupts just-in-time supply chains. Delays in incoming supplies can halt production lines, while delays in outgoing shipments risk contract penalties and lost sales.
CANACAR has also sought information from the US Embassy in Mexico and the US State Department, but clarity remains elusive.
The Mexico’s Interior Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have yet to issue formal statements on the matter, though sources indicate that internal discussions are underway. Diplomatic channels are expected to focus on establishing a framework for consistent visa enforcement, including clearer guidelines for what constitutes cabotage.
In the US, CBP has not publicly addressed the visa revocation statistics cited by CANACAR. However, the agency’s recent extended-hours program at the Laredo bridge suggests an awareness of the logistical challenges. The 90-day initiative, which begins on September 14, aims to alleviate morning northbound congestion by extending operating hours from 7 a.m. to midnight, up from the current 8 a.m. start.
Meanwhile, Imperative Logistics has expanded its El Paso footprint by partnering with RM Customhouse Brokers, which provides customs brokerage, trade compliance, and bonded warehousing. Dante Fornari, CEO of Imperative Logistics, called the move “an important addition to our network,” offering customers another critical gateway for US-Mexico trade. The partnership reflects a broader industry trend of diversifying logistics networks to mitigate risks from enforcement disputes.
The coming weeks will be critical for Mexico’s trucking sector. CANACAR and other business groups are pushing for a high-level meeting with US and Mexican officials to establish a formal protocol for visa enforcement. Key demands include.
- Clearer definitions of cabotage to prevent inconsistent interpretations.
- Transparent statistics on visa revocations and the reasons behind them.
- A formal appeals process for drivers whose visas are revoked.
For drivers and businesses, the stakes are high. Any prolonged disruption could have ripple effects across North American supply chains, particularly in industries reliant on cross-border just-in-time manufacturing.
Millán urged caution, hoping the protests would not spread to Tijuana. “My hope is that it does not extend to Tijuana. The idea is that we be cautious with this issue,” he said. For now, the industry waits for clearer rules, and a resolution that keeps goods moving.
Businesses and drivers seeking updates on the visa dispute or extended-hours programs can monitor official announcements from CBP (www.cbp.gov) and CANACAR (www.canacar.com.mx). For those affected by visa revocations, legal counsel specialising in cross-border trade compliance may offer guidance on navigating the appeals process.
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