Judicial Watch and American Truckers United Sue DOT Over Cross-Border Trucking Records
Washington, D.C. – In a move hailed as a significant victory for industry transparency, American Truckers United (ATU) and the legal watchdog group Judicial Watch have announced a new lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The legal action, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks to compel the release of unredacted records regarding cross-border trucking programs and the licensing of non-citizen drivers.
The “Big Win” for Accountability
The lawsuit (Judicial Watch Inc. v. U.S. Department of Transportation) centers on the federal government’s alleged failure to respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted in August 2025. Advocates argue that the filing itself forces the government to address long-standing grievances regarding safety and oversight.
According to Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, the litigation is necessary to expose “lax oversight” that has endangered American lives. The lawsuit specifically demands correspondence and data related to:
The licensing and vetting of Mexican-domiciled carriers.
The enforcement of English language proficiency standards for commercial drivers.
Data from “Operation SafeDRIVE,” a recent crackdown that reportedly removed nearly 2,000 unqualified drivers from the road.
“The American people should know the details of this regulatory disaster,” Fitton stated, emphasizing that the legal pressure is intended to support efforts to “clean up” the industry.
Background: A Struggle for Safety and Sovereignty
American Truckers United has long contended that the influx of cross-border drivers undercuts American wages and compromises road safety due to differing regulatory standards. The partnership with Judicial Watch represents an escalation in their strategy, moving from lobbying to direct legal intervention.
The controversy stems largely from provisions within the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and previous pilot programs that allowed Mexican trucking companies to operate long-haul within the U.S. Critics have frequently pointed to the lack of reciprocal safety databases and the inability of U.S. law enforcement to effectively audit the driving history of foreign nationals.
In August 2025, the U.S. Department of State paused certain employment visas for commercial truck drivers—a policy shift likely influenced by the growing pressure from groups like ATU. This lawsuit aims to uncover the data that led to that decision and determine if the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been hiding the extent of non-compliance among foreign drivers.
Objections and Economic Concerns
While ATU celebrates the lawsuit as a step toward safety, industry observers and trade economists warn of potential downsides.
Supply Chain Strain: Logistics experts argue that cross-border trucking is essential for maintaining the flow of goods between the U.S. and its southern neighbor. Restricting Mexican carriers or bogging down the DOT in litigation could slow down supply chains and increase consumer costs.
Driver Shortages: Major carriers often cite a chronic shortage of domestic drivers as the primary reason for utilizing foreign labor. They argue that strict crackdowns without a domestic labor solution will cripple the freight industry.
Discrimination Claims: Civil rights groups have previously challenged similar crackdowns, arguing that language proficiency tests can be used as a discriminatory tool against lawful immigrant drivers who have otherwise clean safety records.
Despite these objections, ATU and Judicial Watch maintain that public safety and the rule of law must take precedence. The DOT has not yet issued a public comment regarding the lawsuit.
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