Dominican Republic steps up deportations of Haitians, expelling nearly 11,000 people in one week

The situation for Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic has deteriorated dramatically in recent weeks. The Dominican government has stepped up deportations, with nearly 11,000 people expelled in just one week, according to official data. These expulsions have sparked immediate backlash from Haiti and created diplomatic tensions between the two nations that are located on the island of Hispaniola.

On October 2, the government of President Luis Abinader announced plans to deport up to 10,000 Haitians per week, citing an “excessive migrant population” in Dominican communities. This marks the most severe immigration policy in the country’s recent history. In the announcement, the president’s spokesperson stated that the expulsions would occur “within the framework of strict protocols that guarantee respect for human rights and the dignity of those being repatriated.” However, complaints from the border indicate that these protocols are not being followed, with recent videos emerging that depict scenes of police brutality.

In light of this situation, the Haitian transitional government — beleaguered by gang violence — urgently requested a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) through its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique Dupuy. During the meeting, Haiti’s representative, Gandy Thomas, condemned the deportations, labeling them a “strategy of ethnic cleansing” and a “discriminatory campaign” targeting Haitians based on nationality and skin color.

Minister Dupuy expressed deep concern about the “brutal raids and deportations” that Haitians have faced in the Dominican Republic, asserting that these actions violate human dignity and international human rights standards. She called for respect and justice for her fellow Haitians, urging the Dominican government to reconsider its immigration policies.

Dupuy also cautioned about the repercussions of these deportations, stating that many of the repatriated Haitians would return to Haiti without support, resources, or connections to their communities. This, she noted, would exacerbate the already fragile situation in a country grappling with violence and poverty.

Human rights organizations join the call

Several videos documenting the persecution and mistreatment of Haitians by Dominican authorities have gone viral in Haiti. “They took all our documents and are asking us for money to return our Dominican papers,” says a Haitian resident living in the neighboring country.

In response to the escalating insecurity faced by Haitians in the Dominican Republic, the Sugar Cane Farmers organization urgently urged its compatriots to leave Dominican territory “before they kill us.” This organization, which advocates against the labor exploitation of many Haitian workers, is calling for a mass exodus of Haitians employed in sectors such as agriculture, construction, tourism, and free trade zones.

The message from the organization was unequivocal: “For our dignity. The Dominican state no longer needs us. Let us exodus en masse and take this step together before they kill us!” This call reflects the pervasive fear within the Haitian community in the Dominican Republic, where they increasingly feel vulnerable to hostility and threats.

In recent days, several groups of Dominicans have staged demonstrations to pressure the government for stricter measures regarding the expulsion of Haitians. Some protesters even warned they would take action if the authorities failed to respond. This growing tension has heightened the risk for Haitians in the country. “We fear for our lives and safety in this country,” said Roudy Jouseph, a representative of the Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent movement in the Dominican Republic.

Caught between two crises

While the situation in the Dominican Republic is alarming for Haitian migrants, conditions in Haiti are equally dire. The country remains engulfed in a severe security crisis, with armed gangs instilling terror and violence, indiscriminately attacking civilians. Living conditions are extremely precarious, further complicating the decision for many migrants to return to their homeland. Just last week, a group of hitmen from the Gran Grif criminal gang murdered dozens of people in an unprecedented escalation of violence.

“The situation is extremely difficult for Haitians, both in the Dominican Republic and in Haiti,” said Sam Guillaume, a representative of the Haitian Refugee and Returnee Support Group. Guillaume condemned reports of deported Haitians being extorted, raped, or detained in inhumane conditions, without access to food or water. He stated that Dominican authorities “hunt” Haitians and subject them to both physical and psychological abuse.

On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned about the forced recruitment of minors in Haiti. “With limited options for survival, many children in Haiti are drawn into criminal groups, where they become involved in illegal activities and face serious risks,” said Nathalye Cotrino, a crisis and conflict researcher for the organization. “To stem the violence, the transitional government should focus on improving children’s lives by providing protection, access to essential goods and services including education and legal opportunities for their rehabilitation and reintegration.”

Radhafil Rodriguez, an advisor to the Dominican mission at the OAS, rejected the accusations of mistreatment of Haitian migrants, assuring that any complaints would be taken “very seriously” by his government. However, allegations of abuse persist, and the situation along the border remains tense.

The migration crisis on the island of Hispaniola has exposed deep divisions and tensions between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. While the Haitian government seeks a diplomatic solution and demands justice for its citizens, many Haitians in the Dominican Republic fear for their safety and face a painful dilemma: remain in a country that rejects them or return to one that offers no guarantees of safety.

In light of this situation, the Haitian government led by acting Prime Minister Garry Conille continues to collaborate with international partners to receive deportees and provide them with support. However, the lack of resources and the deterioration of infrastructure in Haiti complicate efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.

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