Dominican government intensifies immigration raids

Santo Domingo.- The administration of President Luis Abinader, through the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), has intensified immigration enforcement operations targeting Haitian nationals residing irregularly in the Dominican Republic. These efforts have led to the arrest of hundreds of undocumented individuals across multiple provinces, as part of a broader government strategy to regulate migration while upholding human rights.

In coordinated raids across Santo Domingo, Azua, La Vega, and La Altagracia, a total of 346 Haitians were detained. In the capital alone, 240 individuals were arrested, including men, women, and children. In Azua, 106 people were apprehended, while in La Vega, 48 Haitian men were taken into custody. Notably, in La Altagracia’s Friusa area, 125 Haitians were detained in a single operation, raising the local arrest total to 236 within 48 hours.

All detainees were transported to processing centers where immigration protocols were followed, with authorities emphasizing respect for human rights. These operations were conducted in collaboration with the National Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.