US Revokes Visas of 3,200 Mexican Truckers in Cabotage Crackdown, Raising Freight Costs

More than 3,200 Mexican cross-border truck drivers have lost their US visas since early 2026 after federal authorities intensified cabotage enforcement, threatening freight capacity and raising transportation costs along the US-Mexico border. The crackdown stems from the integration of Department of Transportation and Customs and Border Protection systems, automatically flagging drivers with prior warnings for unauthorized domestic cargo transport. The Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce warned in April 2026 that the visa cancellations, which extend back several years for past violations, are likely to reduce the driver pool and cause delays and higher trucking prices. Many displaced drivers are moving to Mexico’s domestic market, where a driver shortage exists, according to CANACAR delegate Pedro Lozano Martínez. The enforcement action comes as the US and Mexico concluded a first round of USMCA review talks on May 31, 2026, with further negotiations scheduled for June 16–17 in Washington, amid growing trade friction.