The Dominican Republic's recent operations have led to the arrest of numerous Haitian women and children amidst ongoing tensions over migration policies aimed at addressing an influx of undocumented migrants fleeing violence in Haiti.
Dominican Republic Intensifies Migrant Crackdown, Targeting Pregnant Women and Children
Dominican Republic Intensifies Migrant Crackdown, Targeting Pregnant Women and Children
Over 130 Haitian migrants, including pregnant women and children, arrested in Santo Domingo hospitals as part of a controversial immigration policy.
The Dominican Republic has implemented a stringent crackdown on undocumented migrants, apprehending over 130 Haitian women and children in hospitals throughout Santo Domingo. Many of the arrested women are pregnant or have recently given birth, sparking concerns about the implications for their healthcare and wellbeing. This initiative is part of President Luis Abinader's broader strategy announced last year, with intentions to deport up to 10,000 undocumented migrants each week to mitigate the influx from neighboring Haiti.
The government has faced criticism for its treatment of Haitian migrants, as countless individuals are fleeing humanitarian crises marked by extreme gang violence and prevalent poverty in Port-au-Prince. The immigration department asserted that those detained were offered respectful treatment upon being brought to a processing center where their biometric data was collected.
A Haitian woman attending a friend in labor expressed profound anxiety over the government’s tactics, highlighting that the uncertainty surrounding medical care could endanger both mothers and infants. She questioned the availability of medical professionals to assist in emergencies during transport to detention facilities. Authorities have assured that they will provide necessary healthcare to the detained and proceed with repatriating any undocumented mothers.
The Dominican Republic has reportedly deported over 80,000 migrants back to Haiti in the initial months of this year, aiming to control the surging numbers crossing the border. Furthermore, President Abinader has previously criticized the international community's ineffectiveness in restoring order and stability to Haiti, driving many to seek refuge in the neighboring country.
