ADOT Offering Training To Mexican Truck Drivers To Reduce Time It Takes To Enter U.S.

human smuggling
Mexican truck driver brought a few trafficked humans along in his load. The interior of the trailer was nearly 100 degrees. [Photo provided by CBP]

PHOENIX – “The webinar was a huge success,” said Officer Frank Cordova of an Arizona Department of Transportation program that helps truck drivers in Mexico better understand and prepare for safety inspections at the border. That program  is using technology to provide virtual training during the current public health situation.

Part of ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division, which operates commercial ports of entry, the Border Liaison Unit offered its first training by webinar recently for 30 trucking companies from the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California. More sessions are planned.

“We’re looking to make webinar-based workshops a staple of the training we provide, as it allows us to reach even further into Mexico and the U.S. to continue educating the commercial industry,” said Cordova.

The goal of this training offered by ADOT’s Border Liaison Unit is reducing commercial vehicle wait times at the international border by cutting down on safety problems and other issues that truck drivers must address before leaving commercial ports of entry.

The Border Liaison Unit saw an increase in inquiries from Mexican truckers regarding current emergency restrictions and exemptions for commercial vehicles due to COVID-19. Future sessions will cover safety training previously conducted in person such as electronic log books and critical items officers look for in inspections.

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