NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD NEWS) — A new rule took effect this week that will phase out thousands of commercial driver’s licenses held by immigrant truckers. The White House says the regulatory move is necessary for safety, but some worry it could increase prices for those who rely on the network.
Federal officials will restrict who can get or renew a CDL if applicants cannot prove lawful immigration status. They are also limiting which visa holders are eligible to apply for these licenses.
Under the new rule, H-2A and H-2B agricultural workers may apply for and renew their credentials, but those with asylum or refugee status cannot. Drivers can continue using their current licenses, but those who do not meet the new guidelines will not be allowed to renew.
Not everyone agrees with the crackdown. A transportation attorney told the Washington Post that fewer drivers could lead to higher freight rates.
Lower Transport Costs in Mexico Support U.S. Grain Competitiveness
Lower transportation and landed costs helped support U.S. grain competitiveness in Mexico during the fourth quarter of 2025 — a key factor for producers relying on export demand.
USDA data show that water-route transportation costs to Veracruz rose slightly quarter-to-quarter for corn and soybeans and increased for wheat, largely due to higher ocean freight tied to strong global bulk shipments. Land-route costs increased for corn and wheat with higher truck and rail rates, but declined for soybeans as rail costs eased.
For producers, landed costs varied by commodity and route. Land-route corn costs rose on higher transport and farm values, while wheat costs fell with lower farm values. Soybean landed costs held mostly steady as lower transport costs offset stronger farm prices.
Regionally, transportation accounted for 14-28 percent of landed costs by water routes and 12-30 percent by land routes, underscoring logistics’ role in export margins.
Looking ahead, sustained export demand from Mexico — which imported 26.1 million metric tons of U.S. corn, 5.46 million metric tons of soybeans, and 4.33 million metric tons of wheat in 2025 — will keep transportation costs central to competitiveness.
(Tags: Transportation, Grain Markets, Exports, Mexico, USDA)
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