Trump administration imposes limits on Mexican train crews over English-language safety concerns

The Trump administration on Friday imposed new limits on Mexican train crews operating in the United States, citing safety concerns tied to English-language proficiency. The Federal Railroad Administration issued letters to Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited stating that crews from Mexico will not be allowed to operate more than 10 miles into U.S. territory from their point of entry. The agency said uncertified crews must stop at the customs inspection point, and interpreters must be certified under safety regulations. The steps come as rail and border safety officials emphasize clear communication between train crews, inspectors, and first responders during emergencies.

Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy said the policy reflects a nationwide standard that safety depends on clear, common language. "Whether you're operating an 80-ton big rig or a massive freight train, you need to be proficient in our national language – English. If you aren’t, you create an unacceptable safety risk," Duffy said during remarks tied to the new measures. "These commonsense steps will ensure every train crew operator can communicate with inspectors and understand basic operational bulletins. This Department will continue to put you and your community’s safety first."

The administration’s move is paired with a broader push to tighten language-related safeguards in the transportation sector. FRA Administrator David Fink said train crew operators who can’t speak English pose a safety risk that should not be ignored, noting that dispatchers and first responders must be able to communicate with train crews, especially during emergencies. "Train crews operate in high-stakes environments where rapid, accurate communication can prevent accidents and save lives," Fink said.

The action followed a period in which the Department of Transportation announced changes to eligibility requirements for non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses in September. Officials said the updates aim to ensure that drivers who hold CDL or CLP credentials while living outside the United States are subject to the same language and testing standards as domestic holders. The agency framed the September changes as part of ongoing efforts to raise safety benchmarks across the freight and trucking sectors, including cross-border traffic.

The timing of Friday’s announcement also touched on recent fatalities involving drivers living illegally in the United States who speak little to no English. In Florida earlier this year, a truck driver with a California-issued limited-term CDL allegedly killed three people while attempting an unauthorized U-turn, an incident that prompted renewed scrutiny of drivers’ language and training requirements. Harjinder Singh was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after the crash. DOT officials said the rail and trucking safety measures are intended to reduce the risk of similar tragedies by ensuring that frontline operators can understand safety bulletins, dispatch instructions, and emergency procedures.

The FRA’s letters to Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited describe the enforcement approach as a practical step to mitigate language-related safety gaps in cross-border rail operations. The agency said the 10-mile limit would apply from the point of entry, and any operation beyond that threshold would require verified English proficiency and certified interpreters to ensure effective communication with inspectors, dispatchers, and emergency responders. Critics of the policy have argued that language barriers can complicate compliance with complex rail signaling and safety bulletins, while supporters say English proficiency is a straightforward and nonpartisan safety prerequisite.

The administration’s emphasis on language in safety policy reflects a broader political and regulatory emphasis on border and labor issues in U.S. politics. Officials say the measures are intended to strengthen the reliability of freight movements and reduce the likelihood of incidents stemming from miscommunication. They stressed that the changes do not target any single nationality but are aimed at ensuring uniform safety standards across cross-border operations.

As the freight industry adjusts to these rules, rail operators and unions will monitor the implementation and any potential impacts on cross-border service. Agencies emphasized that the aim is not to hinder commerce but to safeguard workers and communities by ensuring that all train crews understand and can act on safety information when it matters most.

The administration has signaled that more language-related safety measures could follow, particularly as technology, border policy, and foreign-trade dynamics continue to evolve. Officials said updates to training, certification, and monitoring programs will accompany future actions to maintain consistency with safety requirements across rail operations in the United States.