Members of the Dominican Army have detained 23 Haitian nationals found inside the country without legal immigration status and involved in environmental destruction activities. The operation uncovered charcoal kilns, felled trees, sacks of charcoal, and various agricultural tools. Authorities also seized 12 riding animals and an ox with a plow during the raid.
The detained group includes seven men, four women, and twelve minors. They were transferred to the 10th Infantry Battalion headquarters for further processing. The seized animals will be handed over to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources for appropriate action.
This incident reflects a broader pattern of increased immigration enforcement by Dominican authorities. According to the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), 34,190 Haitian immigrants were deported from the Dominican Republic in May alone—the highest monthly total recorded so far this year.
These deportation numbers represent a consistent upward trend: 5.1% more than April’s 32,540 deportees; 19.9% more than March’s 28,534; 28.2% more than February’s 26,659; and 9.5% more than January’s 31,221.
The DGM highlights that these interdictions are part of a comprehensive operational plan, mandated by the National Defense and Security Council and President Luis Abinader’s directives, to address irregular migration and protect Dominican sovereignty amid Haiti’s ongoing socio-political crisis.
“Deportations themselves are carried out within the framework of the operational plan implemented for these purposes by the DGM, which begins with extensive intelligence work to identify the locations where the interdictions will be carried out most effectively. During the detention process, foreigners are questioned about the documentation issued by the State to regulate their stay in the country. If they do not have it, they are taken to reception centers where their biometric data and fingerprints are taken, and their actual status and condition are investigated. When it is determined that the foreigner does not meet the requirements of Law 285-04, an administrative order is issued ordering their return to their country of origin,” DMG said in a statement.
Detentions also follow national and international legal standards, ensuring detainees are informed of the reasons for their arrest, treated humanely, and afforded due process.
These operations involve coordination across several agencies, including the National Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police, Cesfront, Digesett, Ciutran, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The effort aims to mitigate the risks irregular migration poses to the security, stability, and well-being of the Dominican population.
, 34,190 Haitian immigrants were deported from the Dominican Republic in May alone.){kind=link}