In a significant development, the Dominican Republic deported over 94,000 Haitians in the last quarter of the year. This move is part of a broader initiative led by President Luis Abinader and the National Security and Defense Council to address the growing number of undocumented Haitian migrants. The operation aims to deport up to 10,000 Haitians weekly.
Earlier in the year, from January to March, Dominican authorities deported 48,344 Haitians. This number increased in the subsequent months, with 62,446 deportations recorded between April and June and 71,414 from July to September. The total number of deportations in 2024 exceeded 276,000, as reported by the Dominican Republic's Immigration Directorate.
The Dominican government's decision to intensify deportations comes at a time when Haiti faces severe political and social turmoil. With gangs controlling over 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital city, many Haitians have sought refuge across the border. However, the Dominican Republic has responded by increasing deportations to manage what it describes as an "excess" of Haitian migrants.
Haiti's former Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy has condemned these actions, referring to them as "brutal scenes of raids and deportations." Despite such criticism, Dominican authorities assert that the deportations comply with human rights standards. In October, Reuters captured footage showing migrants in caged trucks en route to Haiti, sparking further debate on the humanitarian aspect of these operations.
The border shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic has historically witnessed an informal flow of people. However, the current political instability in Haiti has led to an unprecedented number of crossings. Aid organizations have mobilized efforts to provide assistance on the Haitian side of the border, addressing the needs of thousands of displaced individuals.
