Mexican Nationals Arrested in Cabotage Probe at Arizona Truck Driving School
Key Takeaways
- •Homeland Security Investigations Arizona said agents executed a federal search warrant at a Nogales truck driving school on Aug. 11.
- •Two Mexican nationals were arrested during the operation.
- •Authorities seized multiple firearms and a tractor-trailer, but did not release further details.
- •Investigators suspect the case involves illegal hiring practices and cabotage violations.
- •CBP said foreign truck drivers with B-1 status may carry cargo in international commerce but cannot engage in domestic cabotage.
Two Mexican nationals were arrested and multiple firearms and a tractor-trailer were seized at a truck driving school in Nogales, Arizona, as federal authorities investigate suspected illegal hiring practices and cabotage violations.
Homeland Security Investigations Arizona announced the arrests on Monday, saying special agents executed a federal search warrant at the school on Aug. 11.
HSI said investigators suspect a connection to “illegal hiring practice and cabotage,” a term that refers to a foreign carrier illegally transporting goods or passengers between two points within another country.
The agency did not identify the two Mexican nationals or the truck driving school and did not provide additional details about the firearms or the tractor-trailer that were seized.
The operation comes as federal authorities step up scrutiny of foreign commercial drivers operating in the U.S., a topic that has drawn attention in border regions where international freight traffic and domestic trucking lanes can overlap.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently told FreightWaves that foreign truck drivers admitted under B-1 nonimmigrant status may transport cargo in international commerce but cannot engage in domestic cabotage.
“Alien truck drivers with B-1 nonimmigrant visas are only permitted to transport cargo in international commerce, and engaging in cabotage is a violation of their nonimmigrant status, leading to potential visa cancellation or revocation,” a CBP spokesperson told FreightWaves.
CBP made the statement in response to a separate FreightWaves inquiry about alleged cabotage violations involving a Canadian carrier. The agency said cabotage cases involving foreign truck drivers appear to be increasing.
“CBP has observed an increase in encounters involving alien truck drivers and cabotage cases, particularly in border regions,” the spokesperson said.
CBP said specific cabotage enforcement data is not currently available, but the agency will enforce immigration laws involving truck drivers to protect legitimate trucking businesses, fair competition and safe freight movement.
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Why it matters: CBP says it is seeing more encounters involving foreign truck drivers and cabotage cases, particularly in border regions.
