GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. — Luis González last week became the first Mexican driver permitted to haul beyond the 25-mile restriction zone at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Just days after a U.S. court refused to block the U.S. DOT’s pilot project to allow 100 Mexican carriers free access to all of the States, González departed from Monterrey, Mexico to North Carolina.

González has more than 10 years’ experience and is said to be among his company’s best drivers. For that, according to the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), he earns about 13 cents a mile, plus $20 per day for expenses.

OOIDA, one of many vocal opponents of cheaper Mexican truckers being allowed to operate freely in the U.S., says that American company drivers with as much experience and a clean driving record can easily earn triple — even more than four times — as much as González.

As for expenses go, the $20 a day allowed to González, is less than half of the $52 per diem allowed for U.S. truckers, OOIDA says.