Sonia Guzmán, ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the United States: “A well-regulated border is a more secure border for all. The intelligent perimeter fence is one element of an integrated plan to make the boundary region safer and more prosperous. Effective border control is key to preventing human trafficking, drug trafficking, the illegal transport of weapons and the smuggling of goods. There are various agreements in place to promote bilateral trade and the safe movement of people between the two countries. Every week, for example, tens of thousands of people make the crossing to spend the day trading at up to 19 binational markets held along the border. Workers, businesspeople, students and visitors will continue to cross each day in both directions, but new technology will verify the identity and condition of these travelers, smashing people-smuggling operations that destroy lives in both Haitian and Dominican communities. The governance of both countries is at stake when organized crime groups circumvent customs controls, restricting the ability of our authorities to…”