Chris Spear: Cheating is Hurting American Trucking. The Trump Administration Can Help End It

Truckers and Illegitimate Practices in the Industry

For many years, American truckers and car carriers have been subject to strict regulations. They obtain licenses, undergo safety checks, pay taxes, and put in the hard work necessary to keep the supply chain moving. Yet, in the context of Cabotage—the illegal transport of US domestic cargo by foreign drivers on temporary visas—fraudulent activities are still occurring. Unfortunately, this issue has been largely ignored by those in Washington.

This isn’t just open to interpretation; the law is quite clear. Drivers from Mexico and Canada can legally transport goods into the US and back across the border. This verified cross-border trade, which is part of the US-Mexico-Canada agreement, is critical for our economy.

What they cannot do, however, is transport goods within the country—from cities like Dallas to Houston or Phoenix to Chicago. Yet, this illegal activity continues on a scale that can’t be overlooked.

This isn’t merely a competitive issue; it feels more like outright theft. Every illegal load is money taken straight from the pockets of American drivers. When foreign drivers unlawfully move cargo within the US, it undermines legitimate businesses that follow the rules. The most frustrating part? Often, it’s US airlines that misuse this system, employing foreign drivers on temporary visas, thus gaining an unfair advantage over honest carriers. This creates an environment that shifts the market against workers who support the US economy.

The evidence is quite compelling. For instance, in Nogales, one trucking company generated $2.4 million in illegal earnings by employing Mexican drivers with B-1 visas for domestic jobs, while another company made $1.3 million before being shut down. These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of a larger scheme that exploits American jobs and disregards legal standards.

Consider this: If border customs can uncover numerous violations with just a few checks, think about the amount of non-compliance that goes unnoticed daily. These cabotage violations aren’t just mistakes; they represent an intentional business strategy by companies willing to exploit loopholes and ignore American workers.

The Department of Homeland Security has the power to put an end to these practices. With adequate focus and resources, they can convey a strong message to the industry: violate the law, and you will face consequences.

The Trump administration has already shown support for American truck drivers. I’m optimistic that this administration will take decisive action to eliminate cabotage violations. By reinforcing existing laws, President Trump and his team can protect tens of thousands of American jobs and restore fairness in the supply chain, ensuring that foreign drivers and law-breaking carriers aren’t the ones moving about three-quarters of the country’s freight.

The implications are significant. If cabotage violations remain unaddressed, we risk losing market share to companies that are circumventing the American trucking workforce and manipulating the system. This goes beyond just one industry; it’s about defending the integrity of our laws, the stability of our economy, and the livelihoods of millions of families who depend on trucking.

There’s really no middle ground here. We either enforce the law to protect American workers or let them be undercut by illegal operators. The Trump administration has a chance to advocate for justice, uphold the rule of law, and stand up for the hardworking individuals who help this country thrive.