Gooden Cracks Down on Mexican Rail Crews Operating Inside U.S.

WASHINGTON - Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) introduced the Protecting American Railroad Workers Jobs Act, legislation to close a dangerous loophole that allows foreign rail crews to operate deep into the United States-undermining American jobs and weakening border security.

Under current policy, foreign rail crews can bypass crew changes and safety inspections at the U.S.-Mexico border, taking work from American crews and creating vulnerabilities for drug smuggling. This bill restores long-standing protections by requiring trains entering the U.S. from Mexico to stop at the border for mandatory crew changes and safety checks.

"This America-First bill puts an end to Mexican exploitation of U.S. rail standards that threatens American railroad jobs and border security," said Congressman Gooden. "Freight moving through the United States should be operated by workers legally authorized to work here and held to American safety standards."

Specifically, the bill:

• Requires crew interchange at the U.S.-Mexico border before trains continue operations in the United States.
• Ensures trains operating domestically are staffed by workers legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Strengthens safety oversight for cross-border rail operations through federally required testing and clear operating standards.

The bill was featured in an exclusive article by the Washington Reporter.

The bill text can be found here.