In his speech before the National Assembly, on the occasion of the 179th anniversary of the independence of the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader concerning the illegal migration of Haitians to Dominican territory, indicated that the physical part of the first 54 kilometers of the border wall initiated in 2022 will be completed next May.

In addition, he recalled that in 2022, 171,000 Haitians in an irregular migratory situation were repatriated to Haiti against 85,000 in 2021, an increase of 102%, affirming "Never before a Government done so much to protect the territorial integrity of the Dominican Republic along its border, nor showed as much firmness in our immigration policy, consistent with human rights, but without hesitation as to its application."

Stressing that for the first time migrant smugglers are being brought to justice, citing a recent example of Operation Border https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-38918-icihaiti-dom-republic-dismantling-of-a-major-haitian-migrant-smuggling-network.html with about fifteen arrests adding "a hunt that will continue unceremoniously".

Concluding this chapter "I want to make it clear that our immigration policy is set solely by the Dominican Government and we will always execute it to defend our sovereignty."

S/ iciHaiti