Bilingual Competence for International Train Crews Under Scrutiny

Sun Dec 21 2025 12:04:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Concerns arise as Mexican train crews struggle with English safety instructions. Regulations highlight necessary proficiency for American operations.

Recent inspections reveal that several Mexican train crews transporting freight into the U.S. faced challenges in understanding vital safety information in English. This prompted actions by the Federal Railroad Administration and raised alarms among U.S. workforce unions, emphasizing the need for proficient communication to ensure safety on American railroads.

OMAHA, Neb. — In recently conducted inspections, numerous Mexican train crews who delivered trains to U.S. rail yards faced difficulties in comprehending important safety directives due to language barriers. During the Trump administration's focused inspections, these issues came to light, leading to increased scrutiny from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Key U.S. railroads, including Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), often utilize Mexican crews for cross-border freight transport before transferring operations to American personnel. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union has raised alarms about the potential risks associated with foreign crews handling operations in the U.S., particularly in terms of safety and job security.

FRA has advised both railroads to evaluate their practices to ensure all crew members can sufficiently communicate in English and that trains do not operate more than ten miles within U.S. territory. This intervention follows numerous instances where Mexican crews struggled to understand critical safety protocols and regulations essential for managing hazardous materials and emergency protocols—highlighting an urgent need for language proficiency.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reiterated the importance of English fluency for effective communication in emergency situations, stating, “If you aren't proficient in our national language—English—you create an unacceptable safety risk.”

Both railroads expressed commitment to adhering to safety directives, with Union Pacific stating their operational adjustments aim to maintain a fluid supply chain across the border. Union officials emphasized collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to facilitate safe transit while adhering to regulations.

Reports from FRA indicated that evaluation is ongoing, as improper language comprehension can have significant safety implications in rail operations. Unions representing American railroad workers have broadly welcomed the increased enforcement of safety standards for foreign crews, advocating for a safer and more secure working environment on U.S. railroads.