After touring the province of Pedernales to supervise immigration controls at formal border crossings, Ballester stated that the program is being carried out in coordination with local authorities and with the support of state security agencies.

He stated that “once the necessary technological tools are installed and coordinated with the Presidency of the Republic, a date will be set for the measure to be formally implemented.”

The vice admiral also indicated that there are currently 30 immigration agents deployed in Pedernales (southwest, on the border with Haiti), a province with a large territorial area.

He stated that during the visit, he assessed the operational capacity of Immigration, along with support from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Police, to ensure continuous interdiction operations.

When approached by local media outlets, Lee Ballester noted that a reduction in undocumented immigrants has already been observed in the region, according to a statement from the General Directorate of Immigration.

He also reiterated the call for foreigners with irregular immigration status to voluntarily leave the country because, he asserted, interdiction operations will continue to be strengthened.

jdt/mem/mpv