Dominican Republic toughens policy against Haitian migrants

(ANSA) – SANTO DOMINGO, 02 OCTOBER – To address the social discontent generated by the strong increase in illegal immigration from Haiti in the last two years, the government of the Dominican Republic today announced the launch with “immediate execution” of a plan to deport 10,000 undocumented Haitians every week. “This operation aims to reduce the perceived excess migrant population in Dominican communities and will be carried out within the framework of rigorous protocols that guarantee respect for the human rights and dignity of the returnees,” Homero Figueroa, spokesperson for President Luis Abinader, told the press . The government of Santo Domingo is calling for greater commitment from the international community to resolve the serious crisis into which the neighboring country has fallen. “We have warned the United Nations: either they and all the countries involved will act responsibly in Haiti, or we will act responsibly in the Dominican Republic,” Abinader himself recently declared. The president was re-elected in May for a new mandate thanks to the promise to toughen the expulsion policy against undocumented migrants and to extend the 164 km wall built along the border to prevent the entry of Haitians fleeing hunger , epidemics and gang violence. In 2023, 250,000 undocumented Haitians were deported from the Dominican Republic. (HANDLE).