The Bush administration has indicated that the border will be opened. Currently, trucks from Mexico may cross the border within a 20-mile commercial zone before transferring their load to an American carrier and driver. Almost four million of these trucks crossed the border last year, yet according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, less than one percent of those trucks were inspected for safety violations. Of the few that were inspected, more than one-third failed to meet U.S. safety standards. Not only are Mexican trucks unsafe, the drivers lack basic worker protections.
American drivers have hours of service rules that limit their daily driving time.
Mexican drivers have no such rules and often drive for 20 hours a day. Further, these drivers are not drug tested and can get a license to drive a truck without the proper training. Safety on our highways isn't the only issue at stake. Drug lords are salivating with anticipation of an open border that the U.S. can't possibly police. Drug lords are buying up Mexican truck companies and dreaming of tractor-trailers full of heroine and cocaine making deliveries across the heartland of America.