During the first seven months of 1996, 3,219 illegal Dominican emigrants were deported back to the D.R. from Puerto Rico, in addition to those who have been caught in makeshift “yola” boats in the Mona Canal trying to make the illegal voyage to the neigboring island. According to El Nacional newspaper, those who were discovered to have made the illegal voyage to Puerto Rico had paid a total of RD$931,400 to organizers of the yolas in eastern cities and towns such as Miches, Sabana de la Mar, Higuey, La Romana, Boca de Yuma, and San Pedro de Macoris. The yolas have been intercepted by both the U.S. Coast Guard and the Dominican Navy.
The illegal voyages to Puerto Rico, made by Dominicans who eventually wish to end up on the U.S. mainland, mostly New York, have increased in recent years due to economic reasons.