What triggered the shift toward allowing U.S. drivers into Mexico?

Over 300 B-1 visas were revoked for drivers using Laredo's Colombia-Solidarity bridge this year. Rather than seeking Washington policy changes, Nuevo León launched a pilot program three weeks before the conference to allow U.S. truck drivers to cross into Mexico, deliver freight, and return northbound—eliminating transfer operations and reducing reliance on cross-border visa drivers.

How does the Green Corridors project differ from traditional border crossings?

Green Corridors proposes a 165-mile elevated guideway with autonomous, AI-enabled shuttles connecting Laredo and Monterrey. The closed-loop system bypasses traditional border checkpoints, integrates customs facilities into terminal operations, and can handle up to 10,000 trailers per day in each direction. Project cost is estimated at $6-10 billion with a 2030 target launch.

What operational challenges does the current B-1 visa enforcement create?

The revocation of over 300 B-1 visas at a single bridge crossing creates capacity constraints for carriers reliant on Mexican drivers. The Colombia-Solidarity bridge alone handles approximately 3,500 freight truck crossings daily, making driver availability a critical operational constraint affecting transit times and supply chain reliability.

What is Nuevo León's longer-term vision for the Colombia crossing?

Officials aim to transform Colombia from a simple border crossing into a regional logistics and manufacturing hub. The plan includes deploying state security personnel, investing in highway infrastructure connecting to Monterrey, and eventually enabling U.S. drivers to deliver directly into Salina, Victoria, and other Mexican cities—reducing transfer operations and transit times.

Why is customs compliance emerging as a competitive advantage?

Tariff changes, evolving customs regulations, and heightened enforcement on both sides of the border have increased complexity. Logistics providers are now investing significantly in auditors, quality control, and technology infrastructure for compliance—transforming customs management from a cost center into a differentiation point for carriers and brokers.

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Laredo Summit: Driverless Corridors & B-1 Visa Solutions

Jun 15, 2026

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The signal

S. truck drivers to operate into Mexico, and a visionary $6-10 billion autonomous freight corridor connecting Laredo to Monterrey. These developments emerge against a backdrop of enforcement actions that revoked over 300 B-1 visas for Mexican drivers at the Colombia-Solidarity bridge this year, creating acute operational pressure on carriers dependent on cross-border driver capacity. S.

drivers to deliver freight directly into Nuevo León without the costly transfer operations currently required. Within two years, the state anticipates expanding this to Monterrey and other regional hubs. Simultaneously, Green Corridors' elevated guideway proposal—featuring AI-enabled autonomous shuttles capable of processing 10,000 trailers daily in each direction—positions the corridor as a structural solution to border congestion and customs bottlenecks, with an ambitious 2030 launch target. For supply chain professionals, these initiatives signal a critical inflection point: the traditional cross-border model dependent on Mexican drivers and manual customs processes faces both regulatory pressure and technological disruption.

S. driver deployment, and the longer-term transition to automated infrastructure. Risk profiles are shifting from labor availability to regulatory compliance complexity and technology integration readiness.

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What if B-1 visa enforcement expands beyond Laredo to all major border crossings?

Model the impact of B-1 visa driver availability declining by 50-75% across all U.S.-Mexico border crossings over the next 12 months. Assume a portion of capacity is recovered through the Nuevo León pilot program (U.S. drivers), but significant capacity gaps remain. Simulate transit time increases, carrier cost pressures from driver recruitment, and inventory buffer requirements.

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What if the Green Corridors automated system launches ahead of 2030?

Simulate a 2028 launch of Green Corridors with full operational capacity of 10,000 trailers/day per direction. Model the shift of freight from traditional border crossings to the automated corridor. Calculate cost savings from eliminated transfer operations, reduced dwell times, and improved customs clearance. Compare scenario against continued reliance on manual border infrastructure.

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What if U.S. driver expansion into Mexico creates new regulatory or safety risks?

Model scenarios where expanded U.S. driver operations into Mexico encounter regulatory setbacks, insurance complexity, or safety incidents. Assume 12-18 month delays in expanding the program beyond Nuevo León. Simulate impact on carrier cost structures, need for contingency routing, and pressure to diversify supplier bases or nearshore operations.

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