Álvarez calls for focus on traffickers in migration policy

Santo Domingo.- Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez emphasized the need to shift the focus in combating illegal migrant smuggling and human trafficking, stressing that targeting traffickers should be a primary concern. He stated, “We must now change the approach to the pursuit of illegal migrant smuggling and human trafficking by primarily pursuing the trafficker vigorously. Reversing the approach is necessary to stop the revolving door of irregular migration once and for all. If we do not effectively combat smuggling and trafficking, all other measures would be pyrrhic. Illegal migrant smuggling and human trafficking are serious crimes against the nation.”

Speaking at the Business Luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR) as a guest speaker and guest of honor, Álvarez highlighted the impact of irregular immigration on employment formality and wages, particularly for immigrants. He noted that it contributes to lower wages for the poorest workers. “On the contrary, adequate migration governance would contribute to improving wages and formal employment in the poorest sectors,” he said.

Álvarez also addressed the country’s pending challenges, including addressing inequalities in opportunities and income, and the need for transformation in education, health, and migration-labor governance. He touched on topics related to the country’s diplomatic, political, and commercial relations with other nations, the educational system, health issues, migration challenges, foreign policy, and the situation in Haiti.