Ghost-like mounds of powder-like gold can be seen, forever waiting for transportation to the northern Mexican city of San Luis Potosi for refinement.

BBC: In Oaxaca, a community unchanged

But before the U.S. Department of Transportation could grant any permits to Mexican truckers, in 2002, environmental and labor groups filed a lawsuit to block implementation on the grounds that the regulations violated U.S. environmental law.

FORBES: Mexico Is Right To Retaliate Over U.S. Ban On Mexican Trucks

"I urge the Senate to reject an amendment to the transportation bill that would clearly discriminate against Mexican truckers, " Bush said Thursday.

CNN: truck

In 2000, according to a Department of Transportation report published last May, the Mexican score had fallen to 36%, against 24% for American trucks.

ECONOMIST: NAFTA

That is backed up by another Department of Transportation study, in 1999, of 500 Mexican trucks caught going deeper into the United States.

ECONOMIST: NAFTA

The Republicans' version of homeland security is to seal off the Mexican border, beef up protection of military bases and limit screening at ports and transportation lines.

FORBES: Magazine Article