The Dominican Republic has reported the arrest of over 130 Haitian women and children amid a controversial operation targeting undocumented migrants. This crackdown, which took place on the first day of operations in Santo Domingo's hospitals, has raised alarms as many of those detained include pregnant women and new mothers.
The nation's government, led by President Luis Abinader, has initiated this strict measure as part of a broader strategy unveiled last year to manage migration from neighboring Haiti. Officials have set ambitious goals, aiming to deport as many as 10,000 undocumented individuals weekly. However, such measures have attracted considerable backlash for the apparent harshness directed toward vulnerable Haitian migrants who are fleeing dire circumstances including rampant gang violence and extreme poverty in their homeland.
According to the immigration department, the arrested women received "dignified treatment" in detention facilities where officials collected their biometric data and fingerprints. Yet, one Haitian woman who accompanied her pregnant friend to the hospital expressed disbelief and concern regarding the operation. She stated, “If a woman gave birth today, they can’t take her today… They don’t know what will happen.” Her fears resonate with many, as the health and safety of both mothers and newborns are put at risk during the uncertainty created by the government’s actions.
Officials assert that all detained women will have access to necessary medical treatment and that undocumented mothers will be repatriated. As the Dominican Republic continues to grapple with an influx of Haitian migrants, who reportedly enter in large groups seeking sanctuary from escalating violence at home, the government has taken serious steps to tighten its immigration policies. In the first three months of this year alone, more than 80,000 individuals have reportedly been deported back to Haiti, as the Dominican administration expresses frustration towards international inaction regarding the instability plaguing the Haitian state.
The nation's government, led by President Luis Abinader, has initiated this strict measure as part of a broader strategy unveiled last year to manage migration from neighboring Haiti. Officials have set ambitious goals, aiming to deport as many as 10,000 undocumented individuals weekly. However, such measures have attracted considerable backlash for the apparent harshness directed toward vulnerable Haitian migrants who are fleeing dire circumstances including rampant gang violence and extreme poverty in their homeland.
According to the immigration department, the arrested women received "dignified treatment" in detention facilities where officials collected their biometric data and fingerprints. Yet, one Haitian woman who accompanied her pregnant friend to the hospital expressed disbelief and concern regarding the operation. She stated, “If a woman gave birth today, they can’t take her today… They don’t know what will happen.” Her fears resonate with many, as the health and safety of both mothers and newborns are put at risk during the uncertainty created by the government’s actions.
Officials assert that all detained women will have access to necessary medical treatment and that undocumented mothers will be repatriated. As the Dominican Republic continues to grapple with an influx of Haitian migrants, who reportedly enter in large groups seeking sanctuary from escalating violence at home, the government has taken serious steps to tighten its immigration policies. In the first three months of this year alone, more than 80,000 individuals have reportedly been deported back to Haiti, as the Dominican administration expresses frustration towards international inaction regarding the instability plaguing the Haitian state.
