The director general of the Migration Agency (DGM), Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, has acknowledged that the illegal entry of Haitians into Dominican territory is fueled by a lucrative business involving various sectors, Diario Libre reports.
During a visit on 22 October 2024 to the border provinces of Elías Piña and Dajabón on Tuesday, Lee Ballester condemned those who traffic in undocumented migrants, describing their actions as a betrayal of the nation.
“We can’t just point the finger at the military,” the visibly upset official stated. “There are other players involved who are profiting from this situation. There are recruiters, vehicles, transportation, lodging, and even motorcycle taxis. Many people in these areas are involved in this activity,” he said as reported in Diario Libre.
The Vice Admiral called for a collective effort to combat this issue, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between all sectors of society. He also announced plans to expand and train the Migration agency’s personnel nationwide.
On the same visit, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Major General Jorge Iván Camino Pérez, assured the public that the border remains secure and peaceful while stressing the need for enhanced control measures.
Major General Camino Perez said on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 that the military has referred over 20 cases of human trafficking, specifically involving Haitian citizens, to justice in October 2024.
According to Camino Pérez, those referred include military personnel, police officers, immigration agents, transportation workers, and ordinary citizens, highlighting the widespread nature of the illegal human trafficking network.
Camino Pérez emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to the migration issue, acknowledging the involvement of various sectors of society. He assured the public that the Army is vigorously combatting this crime.
“Beyond our humanity, there are certain things we cannot compromise. We must uphold the law. The Army will provide a tough, vigorous, and unwavering response. I am constantly monitoring our border commanders, and the results are evident in the number of referrals,” Camino Pérez said, as reported in N Digital.
Pérez Camino says the Army is working jointly with Migration Agency director Lee Ballester and offering all needed support to the Migration Agency, as reported in Hoy.
The Migration and Army director met with the governors of Dajabon and Elias Piña, Severina Gil and Migdalys de los Santos. Also participating were representatives of the International Migration Organization, the UN Refugees Agency (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
N Digital
Hoy
7 Dias
DR1 News
23 October 2024