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, stating 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,” which involves a foreign carrier illegally transporting goods or passengers between two locations within another country.
The agency did not identify the two Mexican nationals, the truck driving school or provide additional details about the firearms and tractor-trailer that were seized.
The operation comes as federal authorities increase scrutiny of foreign commercial drivers operating in the U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently told FreightWaves that foreign truck drivers admitted under B-1 nonimmigrant status are permitted to 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 provided the statement in response to a separate FreightWaves inquiry concerning alleged cabotage violations involving a Canadian carrier. The agency said that 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 that 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: The arrests come as CBP says it is seeing an increase in encounters involving foreign truck drivers and cabotage cases, particularly in border regions.
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