Dominican Republic push to deport up to 10,000 Haitians weekly

The Dominican Republic has announced plans for large-scale deportations of Haitian migrants, with government officials stating their intention to expel up to 10,000 individuals per week. This decision comes on the heels of a significant increase in deportations over the past year, during which more than 174,000 people were expelled, and at least 67,000 more were sent back in just the first half of this year.

Government spokesman Homero Figueroa explained that the decision was driven by what he characterized as an “excess” of Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic. He noted that the situation has been exacerbated by the struggles of a United Nations-backed mission in Haiti, which is intended to combat escalating gang violence but has faced significant challenges in effectively restoring security.

Figueroa expressed concerns about the rising number of Haitian migrants and the impact on the Dominican Republic, particularly as local authorities grapple with their own economic and social issues. He emphasized that the government sees the need to take action in light of the increasing flow of migrants into the country.