The head of state will visit the border walls from Dajabón (a city bordering Haiti to the north). There, he will address the media and then lead the start of the reforestation process in the border area. He will then travel to Elías Piña (in the west), then to Jimaní (northwest), and then to Pedernales (in the southwest).

The president’s trip will take place at a time when the Dominican government is strengthening measures to control irregular migration.

The president held a meeting with mayors on Wednesday and reiterated his call for collaboration with the government in supporting the measures adopted against illegal migration and for the country’s security.

Abinader toughened policy against Haitian migration earlier this month to guarantee national sovereignty in the face of the crisis in Haiti, he argued.

The president announced that the Dominican Republic will strengthen border surveillance with an additional 1,500 soldiers to the 9,500 already serving on the border. He also revealed that the construction of the border wall will be accelerated, and warned that anyone who facilitates the illegal trafficking of persons will face “drastic” consequences.

Last week, the Executive Branch submitted to the National Congress a draft reform of the existing immigration legal framework to toughen sanctions against government officials who facilitate or participate in the entry of undocumented immigrants.

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