Dominican Republic to Deport 10,000 Haitians Weekly

The Dominican Republic has announced a plan to deport up to 10,000 undocumented Haitians weekly, attributing the move to an 'excess' of migrants amid rising Haitian migration due to worsening gang violence in Haiti. Government spokesman Homero Figueroa indicated that deportations would commence immediately, emphasizing that the operation would follow strict human rights protocols. This decision comes after President Luis Abinader expressed frustration with the international community's inadequate response to the crisis in Haiti and warned of 'drastic measures' if improvements are not seen. Activists have criticized the Abinader administration for alleged human rights violations against Haitian migrants, though he has denied mistreatment claims. The Dominican Republic has already deported over 250,000 undocumented Haitians in 2023 alone, and the government is set to bolster border security with enhanced surveillance. The ongoing gang control in Haiti, which affects 80% of Port-au-Prince, continues to drive migration into the Dominican Republic.