The Dominican Republic has drastically increased deportations of Haitian nationals, repatriating 119,003 individuals between January and April 2025, marking a staggering 71% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
This sharp rise follows a series of efforts aimed at addressing irregular migration, as part of the country’s intensified immigration enforcement strategy.
In April alone, the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) repatriated 32,540 Haitian citizens with irregular immigration status. The DGM’s figures reveal that the largest number of irregular migrants detained in April were in Santo Domingo (5,343), Altagracia (4,518), and Santiago (2,708). A total of 737 interdiction operations were conducted in April, averaging 25 operations per day.
The numbers are consistent with a wider trend that has seen a significant spike in deportations since the National Security Council decided in October 2024 to fast-track the detention and deportation of irregular migrants. Between October 2024 and April 2025, 213,580 individuals were repatriated to Haiti, with a monthly average of 30,511 deportations. In contrast, between January and September 2024, the monthly average stood at 20,245 deportations.
Breaking down the numbers by month, the DGM reports that 31,221 Haitians were deported in January 2025, compared to 18,284 in the same month of 2024. February saw 26,659 deportations, up from 13,058 in February 2024. In March, 28,583 Haitians were repatriated, a sharp rise from 17,002 in March of the previous year. April’s deportation total of 32,540 also showed a marked increase from 21,229 in the same month last year.
From January to April 2025, the districts of Santo Domingo, Altagracia, and Santiago accounted for the highest number of detainees, totaling 38,340 individuals. Santo Domingo alone reported 20,512 detainees during this period.
As part of a larger reorganization, the DGM has ramped up its operational capacity. This includes the recruitment of new immigration agents, with 160 already deployed after completing intensive training courses. Another 455 trainees are currently undergoing training. Furthermore, the DGM has renovated its vehicle fleet, enhancing its ability to carry out deportation operations effectively.
The reorganization also involves bolstering key divisions within the DGM, such as the Immigration Intelligence Directorate, Immigration Interdiction Area, and creating new directorates focused on counterintelligence, innovation, and cybersecurity. These efforts are expected to improve the agency’s ability to handle the increasing volume of irregular migration and human trafficking operations.
This surge in deportations comes as the Dominican Republic continues to focus on curbing irregular migration while attempting to strengthen enforcement against organized crime networks linked to human trafficking.
