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The Dominican Republic has intensified its deportation of undocumented Haitian nationals, leading to widespread detentions and raising serious concerns about racial profiling and the wrongful detention of legal Haitian residents. The government’s goal to deport up to 10,000 Haitians each week has resulted in some legal residents and workers being swept up in the process, fueling criticism of the operations’ fairness and accuracy.
Detention of legal residents and workers
Despite the focus on undocumented migrants, numerous reports indicate that legal Haitian residents and workers have also been detained. Media outlets report that several Haitian construction workers, who have legal status, were detained while on the job. Many other Haitians with proper documentation, including those working in agriculture and service sectors, have faced similar issues. In some cases, legal residents were detained despite carrying valid paperwork, raising questions about the thoroughness of the screening process.
Vilaire, a legal Haitian resident working in Punta Cana, told local media that he was detained for three days, even after showing his documents. “I was held without food for days, and now I fear being detained again, even though my papers are in order,” he said.
Concerns over racial profiling
A major concern emerging from these operations is the use of racial profiling in the detention process. Local reports suggest that many people are detained based solely on their appearance, particularly if they are Black. In a society with a large population of Black Dominicans, this has resulted in Dominican citizens being wrongfully detained under the assumption that they are Haitian. Critics argue that racial profiling has led to arbitrary detentions, making Black individuals more vulnerable to being stopped and questioned by immigration authorities, regardless of their legal status.
News outlets have reported instances where Black Dominican citizens were detained and later released only after proving their nationality. This practice has drawn widespread criticism for its discriminatory nature, as many believe that physical appearance, rather than valid documentation, has become a key factor in these immigration sweeps.
Family separation concerns
The deportation drive has also raised fears of family separation, with some undocumented parents expressing concerns about leaving their children behind. Many parents, particularly those with children born in the Dominican Republic, fear being deported while their Dominican-born children remain in the country. Media outlets report that several parents have expressed distress over the possibility of being separated from their families, as many children hold Dominican citizenship while their parents do not.
The National Council for Children (CONANI) has intervened in cases involving minors, reuniting some children with their families. However, 16 unaccompanied minors are scheduled for assisted return to Haiti, highlighting concerns about the treatment of vulnerable groups during the deportation process.
Economic impact on businesses
The mass detentions have also had a significant impact on businesses that depend on Haitian labor, particularly in agriculture, construction, and service industries. Employers across the Dominican Republic, especially in areas like Santiago, have raised concerns about the disruption caused by the detentions. Many businesses rely on legal Haitian workers, and the indiscriminate nature of the detentions has affected operations.
Nancy, a nursery owner in Licey, told local media that 20 of her Haitian workers, many of whom had legal status, were detained in a single day. “These workers are essential to my business. Losing them, especially when some had legal documentation, is a serious blow,” she said.
Government defense and ongoing concerns
Despite growing concerns from both local and international observers, the Dominican government has defended its deportation strategy. Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, director of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), emphasized that the operations are being conducted in compliance with legal frameworks and respect for human rights. The government has maintained that the scale of undocumented migration poses significant challenges, and decisive action is necessary.
The operations, carried out with support from the National Police, Armed Forces, and Ministry of Public Health, have focused on urban areas and border regions where undocumented migrants are most concentrated. Officials insist that the campaign aims to strengthen border control, disrupt human trafficking networks, and increase the country’s ability to manage migration flows.
International criticism
The Haitian government has voiced strong objections to the mass deportations, which it sees as discriminatory. Haitian Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy has called on the Dominican Republic to ensure that the rights of deportees are respected in line with international standards. Haitian officials have also raised concerns about the conditions under which migrants are being detained and deported.
Human rights organizations and international observers have echoed these concerns, calling for a more transparent and humane approach to managing migration. The criticism has particularly focused on the racial profiling allegations, which many argue exacerbate existing tensions between the two countries.
As the deportation operations continue, the Dominican Republic faces increasing scrutiny over its treatment of both undocumented migrants and legal residents. The focus on deportation quotas, combined with reports of racial profiling and family separations, is likely to keep the issue at the forefront of regional discussions on immigration and human rights.
