The Dominican Republic has announced a plan to begin deporting 10,000 undocumented Haitians each week, primarily driven by the need to control the increasing migration from Haiti, which is facing significant instability and violence. The operation intends to follow strict human rights protocols and come as a response to what the Dominican government perceives as insufficient international assistance in restoring order in Haiti. President Luis Abinader has emphasized his administration’s commitment to stringent immigration control since 2020, having already deported 250,000 Haitians this year.
On October 2, 2023, the Dominican Republic announced the implementation of a significant migration enforcement initiative, which entails the deportation of 10,000 undocumented Haitians weekly. This action is rooted in the government’s effort to address the challenges posed by an increase in the Haitian migrant population amid ongoing instability within Haiti. Presidential spokesman Homero Figueroa emphasized that the operation strives to alleviate the pressures on Dominican communities by reducing the number of undocumented migrants. He assured that deportations would commence immediately and would adhere to strict human rights protocols. The increase in deportations is seen as necessary due to what the Dominican administration perceives as the ineffectiveness of the international community in stabilizing Haiti, a nation currently experiencing rampant gang violence. The Dominican government’s decision follows a prolonged period of negotiations and actions concerning Haiti’s security situation, during which a UN-sanctioned force led by Kenya has been deployed to restore order. President Luis Abinader remarked, “We warned at the United Nations that either it and all the countries that had committed themselves act responsibly in Haiti, or we will,” highlighting the urgency of the situation as perceived by the Dominican Republic. Abinader’s administration has consistently prioritized a strict immigration policy since he took office in 2020. This policy has included the construction of a substantial concrete barrier along the border, measuring 164 kilometers (approximately 102 miles), with plans for further expansion should he secure reelection. The administration has also notably increased the number of deportations, with recent reports indicating that 250,000 undocumented Haitians have been expelled in the year 2023 alone.
The situation in the Dominican Republic regarding Haitian migration is greatly influenced by the political instability and humanitarian crises that have affected Haiti. Over the years, Haiti has struggled with dire socio-economic conditions, widespread violence, and a deepening gang crisis which has led many Haitians to seek refuge in neighboring countries. The Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has faced increasing pressures due to the influx of Haitians fleeing their homeland. This has prompted the Dominican government to adopt increasingly stringent immigration policies, reflecting concerns about resource allocation, security, and social integration. The international community, including the United Nations, is also involved in addressing the crises, but the Dominican Republic’s dissatisfaction with the pace of assistance has ignited its latest policy announcements on deportations.
The Dominican Republic’s recent plan to deport 10,000 undocumented Haitians weekly reflects both a response to the overwhelming pressures from Haitian migration and a reaction to the perceived shortcomings of international efforts to stabilize Haiti. By enacting this system of deportations, President Luis Abinader’s administration aims to rectify the demographic challenges faced by Dominican communities while emphasizing the importance of human rights in the process. The government’s actions signal a profound commitment to enforcing immigration policies, even amid rising humanitarian concerns.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
