Mexican truckers block Calexico border over visa revocations

Mexican truck drivers blocked access to the Calexico East-Mexicali commercial border crossing on Thursday. The protest, reported by multiple Mexican news outlets, is a response to U.S. Authorities revoking B-1 visas from drivers following inspections and questions about their activities within the United States.

The National Chamber of Freight Transportation (CANACAR) warned on Wednesday of a planned demonstration and potential closure of commercial crossings at Mexicali and San Luis Río Colorado. CANACAR's Mexicali office advised trucking companies to monitor the situation and prepare for possible disruptions to border access and operations. Protesters are demanding clearer guidance from U.S. Authorities on what specific actions constitute illegal cabotage and can lead to a visa being canceled.

The Cabotage Rule Dispute

Mexican commercial drivers operating with B-1 visas are permitted to transport international cargo between Mexico and the United States. They are explicitly prohibited from engaging in cabotage, which is the transport of domestic freight between two points inside the U.S. Drivers participating in the blockade say U.S. Enforcement of this rule has become inconsistent and opaque. They want officials to clarify which activities are considered violations.

Reports of Visa Revocations

Mexican news outlet Quadratín Baja California reported that protesters alleged 17 drivers had their visas revoked in Mexicali this week. Accounts differ on the exact timing of these revocations, and FreightWaves notes it has not independently verified the number. Ismael Reyes de la Rosa, CANACAR's representative in Mexicali, said in a television interview Thursday that he personally knows of 11 people who have had their visas taken. He called for the circumstances of these cases to be investigated and urged affected drivers to come forward so CANACAR can review what happened.

Scale of the Disruption and Wider Impact

The Calexico East-Mexicali Port of Entry handles an estimated 1,255 commercial trucks daily, help around $2 billion in cross-border trade annually. A wide range of goods, including industrial, automotive, medical, and agricultural products, cross there. Reports on Thursday also indicated truckers were protesting at the commercial crossing in San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora. Participants warned that demonstrations could spread to other border crossings, including Tijuana, if their concerns are not addressed.

The protest appears to be driver-led rather than formally organized by CANACAR. Several participants told Mexican media that drivers organized the blockade themselves. FreightWaves has reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for additional information on the visa enforcement actions.