Administration seeks English proficiency for Mexican train crews operating in the United States

OMAHA, Neb. — A number of Mexican train crews who had just hauled trains over the border to U.S. rail yards in Texas encountered trouble understanding important safety information in English during recent inspections ordered by the Trump administration, federal regulators said.

Federal officials said railroads such as Union Pacific and CPKC routinely rely on foreign crews to bring trains from the Mexican side into U.S. yards before handing them off to American engineers and conductors. The practice has long drawn scrutiny from labor unions and regulators over safety, security and job concerns, with handoffs historically occurring at or near the border. The Federal Railroad Administration told both railroads to reexamine their practices, ensure that Mexican crews can speak English, and limit intrusions of foreign crews into the United States to no more than 10 miles (16 kilometers).

Inspectors found problems at Union Pacific’s Eagle Pass yard and at CPKC’s facility in Laredo. Union Pacific had a translator on hand to assist Mexican crews, but regulators cautioned that such arrangements could hinder crews’ full understanding of operating rules and required brake tests. At CPKC’s yard, inspectors reported numerous instances where crews had difficulty understanding operating bulletins and other English-language information about hazardous materials and emergency responses.

FRA Administrator David Fink said railroads could face enforcement action if inspectors identify additional instances of crews operating in the U.S. without English proficiency. The agency’s letters urged UP and CPKC to address the findings and demonstrate ongoing compliance with the English-language requirement and related safety standards.

The enforcement push drew praise from the unions that represent locomotive engineers and conductors. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the SMART-TD union said the move underscores the need for safety training and clear communication, particularly when crews move across the border. “The administration should be commended for standing up for border security, public safety and American jobs by creating stronger safety standards for crews that bring trains from Mexico to the United States,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said. “It’s critical that locomotive engineers are able to speak to dispatchers and first responders in English when trains are moving on U.S. soil.”

“Part of ensuring safe operations is good communication,” Union Pacific spokesperson Kristen South said. CPKC spokesperson Patrick Waldron noted that the railroad operates a single network across Canada, the United States and Mexico and that international crews at both borders are restricted to traveling no more than 10 miles into the United States. “Safety is foundational to everything we do,” Waldron added. UP said it hands off trains to FerroMex at the border and recently moved the handoff point to seven miles inside the U.S. at Eagle Pass to keep freight moving, a change made in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The administration’s stance comes amid a broader push to strengthen English-language requirements across transportation sectors. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that clear communication in emergencies is essential, and he linked the policy to recent safety incidents involving drivers of commercial vehicles who lacked appropriate licensing or English-language proficiency. The Department of Transportation has previously withheld funding from California over noncompliance with English-language requirements for commercial drivers and signaled further action against states issuing licenses to individuals believed to be in the country illegally.

In the industry’s broader context, the notes referred to two arrests of Mexican-crews members earlier this year on suspicion of smuggling — one for helping migrants cross the border illegally and another for allegedly attempting to bring drugs into the United States — incidents that lawmakers and regulators have cited in debates about border security and cross-border commerce. While those cases are separate from the FRA’s English-proficiency review, they are cited by officials who argue that uniform standards and rigorous training are essential for crews operating in U.S. territory.

As regulators monitor compliance, UP and CPKC said they remain committed to safety and will work to ensure ongoing adherence to the rules. The resumption of strict English-language requirements could affect how cross-border freight is moved and who is assigned to run trains once they are inside U.S. yards, potentially shaping future cross-border operations and staffing as the government seeks to tighten language and safety standards across the nationwide rail network.