Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (AP) — In a significant policy shift, the Dominican Republic announced Wednesday that it would begin large-scale deportations of Haitian migrants, with plans to expel up to 10,000 individuals per week.
Government spokesperson Homero Figueroa explained that the decision was prompted by what officials are calling an “excess” of Haitian migrants residing illegally in the country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Figueroa pointed to the ongoing crisis in Haiti, particularly the failure of a United Nations-backed mission aimed at combating gang violence, as a key factor behind the rise in migration. Although the government is stepping up border surveillance and control, specific details on these measures have not been disclosed.
The Dominican Republic has a history of deportations, with over 174,000 individuals expelled last year. So far this year, at least 67,000 more Haitians have been sent back. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the treatment of Haitian migrants, accusing the government of widespread violations, particularly against those of Haitian descent born in the Dominican Republic. President Luis Abinader has denied these allegations, asserting that no mistreatment is taking place.
The announcement comes shortly after President Abinader’s address at the UN General Assembly, where he threatened to take “drastic measures” if the international mission in Haiti, which includes nearly 400 Kenyan police officers and support from several other countries, fails to restore order. The mission, however, has faced criticism for lacking adequate personnel and funding, prompting the U.S. to call for a more robust peacekeeping operation under the UN’s guidance.
The backdrop to these developments is the growing violence in Haiti, where gangs now control approximately 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. This violence has resulted in the displacement of nearly 700,000 Haitians and forced thousands more to flee the country in search of safety.
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