Human trafficking has no place in our society, including in the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) combats human trafficking by working with public and private sector stakeholders to empower transportation employees and the traveling public to recognize and report possible instances of human trafficking.
Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of someone for the purposes of compelled labor or a commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Victims can be anyone from around the world or right next door: women and men, adults and children, citizens and noncitizens alike.
Under the FMCSA’s authority, the agency will permanently ban any driver convicted of human trafficking from operating a CMV for which a commercial driver’s license or a commercial learner’s permit is required. Additionally, FMCSA will prohibit an individual from operating a CMV for life if that person uses a CMV in committing a felony involving a severe form of human trafficking.
Vigilance is key to putting a stop to human trafficking. If you recognize or suspect signs of human trafficking, report it immediately. There are various national resources for someone to report an incident of human trafficking, or “Report a Tip.” Below is a list of those:
- In an emergency, call 911.
- Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1–888–373–7888 or text 233733. The National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) is a national, toll-free hotline available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. The NHTH is not a law enforcement or immigration authority and is operated by a nongovernmental organization funded by the Federal government.
- Call the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at 1–866–347–2423 (U.S.) or 1–802–872–6199 (International). Get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
