The Dominican Republic’s military announced a significant operation targeting illegal Haitian migration, detaining nearly 2,000 individuals over the weekend.
According to a statement issued by the army, 1,936 Haitians were intercepted by motorized patrols while traveling on foot through various border communities.
In addition to the detainees, authorities arrested nine Dominican nationals accused of transporting Haitian migrants in vehicles ranging from motorcycles to minibuses. These arrests highlight what officials describe as an increasingly organized effort to facilitate irregular migration into the Dominican Republic.
This weekend’s operation is part of a broader crackdown on Haitian immigration, which has intensified in recent years amid mounting tensions between the two neighboring nations. Earlier this month, the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) revealed that more than a quarter-million Haitians were removed from the Dominican Republic in 2024. The agency reported that 276,215 individuals were either deported or repatriated after being found in irregular migratory situations.
The DGM emphasized that these actions were carried out in accordance with international human rights agreements. However, human rights organizations have frequently criticized the Dominican Republic’s treatment of Haitian migrants, alleging instances of racial profiling, family separations, and inadequate living conditions for detainees.
The Dominican government has defended its policies, citing the strain that undocumented migration places on its healthcare, education, and social services systems. President Luis Abinader has repeatedly expressed concerns about Haiti’s ongoing political instability and economic collapse, which have driven many Haitians to seek refuge across the border.
In recent months, the Dominican Republic has also accelerated the construction of a border wall aimed at curbing unauthorized crossings. While government officials argue that the wall will enhance national security and control migration, critics have raised concerns about its potential to deepen the humanitarian crisis faced by Haitian migrants.
As the Dominican Republic continues to push back against irregular migration, advocacy groups are calling for a regional response to address the root causes driving Haitians to flee their country, including poverty, gang violence, and political turmoil.
