Mexican truck drivers study English to comply with new US language rules
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico - Mexican truck drivers in the border city of Ciudad Juarez have begun studying English in efforts to comply with an executive order by President Donald Trump requiring commercial drivers in the U.S. to meet English-proficiency standards.
Some 50 drivers who haul goods back and forth between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, just across the border in Texas, are attending four to eight hours of English classes a week organized by their employer, Fletes Sotelo, in order to meet the U.S. standards.
The company's owner, Manuel Sotelo, said the classes started some six weeks ago, and that the goal is for all the company's drivers to know basic English. Sotelo is also the president of the transport association of Ciudad Juarez.
Jose Murguia, one of the drivers, said he thought the classes were a great opportunity, especially given the recent executive order.
"It's important to know the language, at least in the ways that are necessary for our work, which is to transport goods into El Paso," he said.
While the English-proficiency standard for truckers was already longstanding U.S. law, Trump's executive order in April reversed 2016 guidance that inspectors not place commercial drivers out of service if their only violation was lack of English.
The order came on the heels of Trump's March executive order mandating English as the official language of the United States.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam
Singapore Who is UNC3886, the group that attacked S'pore's critical information infrastructure?
Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities
Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations
Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences
Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student penalised for academic misconduct; panel found 14 false citations or data
Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS
Singapore Former NUH male nurse faces charges after he allegedly molested man at hospital
That executive order has been criticized as discriminatory since millions of Americans speak languages other than, or in addition to, English. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
7 minutes ago
- Straits Times
French president Macron sues US influencer over claim France's first lady was born male
Find out what's new on ST website and app. French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Macron are suing right-wing US influencer Candace Owens. PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte filed a defamation lawsuit in the US on July 23 against right-wing influencer Candace Owens, centred on her claim that France's first lady is male. The Macrons said in a lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court that Ms Owens has waged a lie-filled 'campaign of global humiliation' and 'relentless bullying' to promote her podcast and expand her 'frenzied' fan base. The Macrons said the lies included that Brigitte Macron, 72, was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, the actual name of her older brother. 'Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications,' the complaint said. 'It is invasive, dehumanising, and deeply unjust.' Ms Owens did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. Mr Macron's office declined comment. The 22-count complaint seeks an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes World In landmark opinion, World Court says countries must address climate change threat Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore Male victim of fatal Toa Payoh fire was known to keep many things, say residents Sport Bukayo Saka the difference as Arsenal beat AC Milan at National Stadium Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Over 1.15 million Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 have claimed SG60 vouchers Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him Right-wing influencer Candace Owens has been accused by the Macrons of waging a lie-filled 'campaign of global humiliation' and 'relentless bullying' to boost her podcast. PHOTO: REUTERS The July 23 lawsuit is a rare case of a world leader suing for defamation. US President Donald Trump has filed multiple defamation lawsuits, including against the publisher of The Wall Street Journal last week. To prevail in US defamation cases, public figures like the Macrons and Mr Trump must show defendants engaged in 'actual malice', meaning they knew what they published was false or had reckless disregard for its truth. REUTERS
Business Times
36 minutes ago
- Business Times
US and EU close in on 15% tariff deal, FT reports
[WASHINGTON] The EU and United States are closing in on a trade deal that would impose 15 per cent tariffs on European imports, similar to the agreement US President Donald Trump struck with Japan this week, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday (Jul 23). REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Mozambique seeks to prosecute opposition leader over post-election unrest
Find out what's new on ST website and app. MAPUTO - Mozambique is seeking to prosecute the country's main opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, over civil unrest that followed a disputed election last year, a document presented to Mondlane by prosecutors showed. Mondlane, who says President Daniel Chapo of the long-ruling Frelimo party won the election through vote-rigging, was summoned by prosecutors on Tuesday. He was shown the 40-page document laying out a series of accusations including that he incited the unrest. An adviser to Mondlane shared the document with Reuters on Wednesday and said the opposition politician denied all the prosecutors' accusations. Prosecutors in the resource-rich Southern African country declined to comment. The post-election protests, in which more than 300 people were killed, were the largest against Frelimo since independence from Portuguese colonial rule in 1975. Frelimo denies allegations of electoral fraud, though Western observers say October's vote was not free and fair. There had been indications that Chapo and Mondlane were looking to build bridges, as the two politicians met for talks in March and again in May. Chapo also launched a "national dialogue" and invited Mondlane to serve on a presidential advisory body. Louw Nel, a political analyst at Oxford Economics Africa, said attempts to prosecute Mondlane would "weigh on the political compromise Mozambique's political actors reached in March". REUTERS
