The Attorney General of the Dominican Republic, Francisco Dominguez Brito, said that the deportation of 5,000 Haitians from the United States and the escape of another 2,000 from Haitian jails is cause for concern for the Dominican Republic. He said, “There is a risk that these people, who can no longer find anywhere to commit their crimes in Haiti, due to the situation there, and so they transfer themselves to the Dominican Republic.” As reported in El Caribe, the AG said that it is necessary to watch the Haitian situation closely, but that there is not enough evidence to say that most crimes in the DR are being committed by Haitians.
During his appearance on the television program “In contact with the Santiago prosecutor’s office,” the attorney general said that he favored more efficient means for the National Police and other authorities to identify foreigners residing in the DR. The top law enforcement figure made his statements less that 48 hours after the Police shot and killed two Haitian suspects the police identified as “criminals.” More than 30 community organizations in the southern part of Santiago have petitioned the government to remove the Haitians living there. Most of last week’s newspapers carried the story of the killing of an individual known only as “Wasa-Wasa” by the Police and the subsequent celebration in the streets upon hearing of his demise.