In the last year, the United States has revoked more than 20,000 visas from Mexican truck drivers for not speaking English, a severe blow to families, businesses, and the economy of Mexico and Tamaulipas, stated Gerardo Peña Flores, a PAN (National Action Party) congressman and president of the Governance Committee of the Tamaulipas Congress.
He emphasized that this situation is causing serious harm to both drivers and the business sector.
“We are talking about truck drivers who cross into the United States daily. They not only lose their visas for not speaking English, but this directly impacts businesses and, above all, families in Tamaulipas,” he explained.
English, a requirement for driving in the United States
Peña Flores detailed that knowledge of English has become a fundamental requirement for driving on U.S. highways.
“Unfortunately, the lack of this language is excluding hundreds of Mexican drivers, precisely in an activity that is strategic for our state.”
Tamaulipas and International Trade Crossings
Tamaulipas is home to the country’s main trade crossings: Nuevo Laredo, the most important, Reynosa, Matamoros, and the other international bridges. Freight transport is not just a job; it’s one of the pillars of the regional economy.
The legislator presented a resolution to the State Government to immediately expand basic English instruction, especially for truck drivers.
“We are seeking to establish agreements with the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (CANACAR) and trucking associations to offer essential English courses.
The objective is twofold: to help drivers who have lost their visas recover them and, at the same time, to prepare new drivers who wish to join this noble and well-paid profession.”
Source: milenio
