In a significant shift in immigration policy, the Dominican Republic has arrested more than 130 Haitian women and children on the first day of a newly launched crackdown targeting undocumented migrants. Many of those detained were pregnant or had recently given birth, raising concerns about the implications for vulnerable communities in need of healthcare. This initiative is part of President Luis Abinader's strategy to deport approximately 10,000 undocumented migrants weekly as a response to ongoing migration from Haiti, which is experiencing severe gang violence and economic instability.
Witnesses noted that the government's actions instill fear and uncertainty for expectant mothers who require medical assistance. A Haitian woman accompanying her friend to the hospital lamented that childbirth in such conditions could jeopardize both mother and child. The Dominican authorities claimed that detained women would receive fair treatment and medical care, yet the situation remains precarious for many as repatriations continue at a rapid pace.
In the first quarter of this year, the Dominican Republic has forcibly returned over 80,000 individuals to Haiti, highlighting the government's frustration with the international community's inability to stabilize the neighboring country. This situation continues to escalate, provoking discussions about the humanitarian needs of those fleeing an increasingly dangerous environment.
Witnesses noted that the government's actions instill fear and uncertainty for expectant mothers who require medical assistance. A Haitian woman accompanying her friend to the hospital lamented that childbirth in such conditions could jeopardize both mother and child. The Dominican authorities claimed that detained women would receive fair treatment and medical care, yet the situation remains precarious for many as repatriations continue at a rapid pace.
In the first quarter of this year, the Dominican Republic has forcibly returned over 80,000 individuals to Haiti, highlighting the government's frustration with the international community's inability to stabilize the neighboring country. This situation continues to escalate, provoking discussions about the humanitarian needs of those fleeing an increasingly dangerous environment.
