Over 208,000 Haitians deported from the Dominican Republic in 16 months

From January 2024 to April 2025, the Dominican Republic deported 208,704 Haitians, according to reports from human rights organizations. This surge in deportations marks an aggressive crackdown on undocumented migrants, as Dominican authorities intensify efforts to control immigration amid growing economic and political pressure. Entire families have been swept up in mass raids, with migrants detained in construction sites, public spaces, and even hospitals.

Human rights groups have condemned the Dominican government for carrying out arbitrary and often violent expulsions, sometimes targeting individuals with valid residency permits. There are widespread accounts of family separations, abuse during detention, and deportations without due process. Despite international concern, Dominican officials defend their actions as necessary to protect national sovereignty and reduce the burden on public services.

Meanwhile, Haiti is ill-equipped to handle the influx of deportees. The country is already in the grip of a deep humanitarian crisis, with widespread insecurity, economic collapse, and a lack of basic services. Most returnees arrive with nothing and are left to fend for themselves in a country that offers them little hope. The international community has yet to respond meaningfully to the growing crisis unfolding along the border.