Nevada truckers sound the alarm: “we can’t compete with Mexico’s cheap labor”

By Erica Neely  

Nevada News and Views

Trucking is vital to our economy. Everything from groceries in Las Vegas to construction materials for new homes in Reno depends on trucks.

But many American drivers say they’re being squeezed out by unfair competition from across the border.

At the center of the fight is something called “cabotage.” That’s when a foreign trucker hauls goods inside the U.S. after delivering a load from their own country.

Under U.S. law, it’s supposed to be illegal. A Mexican driver can bring a shipment to, say, El Paso or Nogales, but they’re supposed to hand it off to an American trucker for the rest of the trip.

Instead, reports show some are staying for months and taking jobs that should go to U.S. workers.

The Economic Squeeze

Nevada truckers already deal with high diesel prices, insurance costs, and strict federal rules. If a local driver misses one logbook entry, they can face fines or even lose their license.

Meanwhile, Mexican drivers are accused of working for much less money and sometimes avoiding the same safety checks.

One American driver on X said he lost three of his trucks because he couldn’t compete. For many truckers in Nevada, where long-haul routes across the desert are a lifeline, that’s devastating.

Safety and Security Concerns

There’s also the issue of safety.

The U.S. has strict standards for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). Mexican CDLs, however, have been linked to fraud cases, with reports of Cubans and Venezuelans using them to drive in the U.S.

That’s a serious security problem.

American drivers also point out that they can’t safely work in Mexico. The risk of being robbed, kidnapped, or worse is real.

Yet Mexican drivers face no such danger here and get to operate on American highways with less oversight.

That feels like a one-sided deal.

Washington’s Role

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) clearly says cabotage is off-limits — but enforcement has been weak.

Critics blame the Biden administration for turning a blind eye. Instead of cracking down, officials seem to allow loopholes that hurt U.S. workers.

In Nevada, this ties into a bigger frustration with federal overreach and misplaced priorities.

While Washington talks about “fair trade,” local drivers see their livelihoods slipping away.

It’s the same story many Nevadans know too well: government promises one thing, then fails to deliver.

Some trade experts argue the problem is overstated. They also point out the difficulty of tracking each individual shipment at the border.

Still, for truckers on the ground, the impact feels very real.

Possible Fixes

There are solutions on the table.

Some suggest requiring all cargo to switch from foreign trucks to American trucks at the border.

Others want English-language proficiency tests for foreign drivers.

Stronger audits of carriers accused of cheating the system would also help.

Most of all, truckers want Washington to enforce the laws already on the books.

Nevada’s Stakes

Trucking isn’t just about moving freight. It’s about jobs, families, and keeping Nevada’s economy running.

Every lost load to a foreign driver means one less paycheck for a Nevada family. And when American drivers are forced out, our state loses not just money, but independence.

This isn’t just a trucking issue. It’s about whether America is willing to protect its own workers.

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Erica Neely is a grassroots advocate, small business owner, director, community leader, and founder of the Hispanic Latin Alliance. Deeply rooted in family values, she is passionate about empowering her community and driving meaningful change.