In a significant escalation of its immigration policies, the Dominican Republic has initiated a crackdown on undocumented migrants, resulting in the arrest of over 130 Haitian women and children in hospitals across Santo Domingo. Many of the detained women are pregnant, while others have recently given birth, raising serious concerns about their treatment and access to medical care amid increasing fear in the community.
This crackdown follows a government announcement last year to deport up to 10,000 undocumented migrants each week as part of an effort to mitigate the influx from Haiti. President Luis Abinader's administration has faced backlash for its strict approach, particularly given that many migrants are escaping severe gang violence and dire economic conditions in Port-au-Prince.
According to the immigration department, those arrested received "dignified treatment" at detention facilities, where their biometric data and fingerprints were collected. However, concerns about the repercussions of these detentions have been voiced by local advocates and community members. One Haitian woman accompanying her pregnant friend to the hospital expressed profound worry about the uncertainty facing women in need of healthcare, especially in the event of complications during childbirth.
Authorities claimed that affected women would receive necessary medical attention; however, undocumented mothers are expected to be repatriated once they stabilize. The high numbers of Haitian migrants crossing into the Dominican Republic, sometimes in truckloads, stem from the ongoing humanitarian crisis characterized by violence and hunger back home.
In the first quarter of this year, the Dominican Republic has repatriated over 80,000 individuals to Haiti, underscoring the urgency of the government's crackdown. President Abinader has previously criticized the international community for inadequately addressing the instability plaguing Haiti, which further complicates the situation for those seeking refuge.
