The Dominican Republic announced on Wednesday, 2 October 2024, the National Security and Defense Council met and determined actions including a ceiling of deporting around 10,000 undocumented persons each week to tackle the surge in illegal Haitian migration and the perceived overpopulation of undocumented migrants in Dominican communities. The increased migration is the result of the continued multidimensional crisis in Haiti.
President Luis Abinader, who chaired a meeting with council members yesterday, had said during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly Debate that the lack of concrete actions in Haiti were forcing the DR to take drastic measures to defend national security. The government announced security agencies have been mobilized to support the immigration policies.
“We are starting to implement these special measures today. The primary focus is the security of the Dominican Republic,” the President stated.
The announcement comes at a time when the Migration Agency has a new director, who has said agents must adhere to strict protocols that uphold human rights and the dignity of those repatriated. At the time of his appointment, the new director, Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester was the director of the C5i intelligence at the Ministry of Defense. His successor has not been named.
Homero Figueroa, the presidential spokesman, in reporting on the conclusions of the security council meeting said that the Dominican Republic is not obliged to justify its immigration policies.
The members of the National Security and Defense Council include the director of Migration, Minister of Defense and chiefs of staff of the military and Police.
Among the points agreed upon is enhanced border surveillance and control, dismantling human trafficking networks, and establishing protocols for the identification and assisted return of migrants. Additionally, there will be an increase in inspectors at the Migration Agency, and the integration of advanced technological tools like drones and surveillance cameras to improve border monitoring.
Continuous training for inspectors on crisis management and human rights will also be implemented, alongside projects to upgrade border control infrastructure. During a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, the government acknowledged the slow progress despite international support and the presence of the Multinational Mission to Support the Haitian Police.
The comprehensive plan aims to address rising public concerns while prioritizing security and human rights. The government reiterated its commitment to protecting national sovereignty and addressing migration challenges through policies that balance security with human rights, in collaboration with the international community. Further updates on the implementation of these measures will be provided to the public.
Read more in Spanish:
El Dia
El Dia
El Dia
El Caribe
El Caribe
El Caribe
N Digital
3 October 2024