Dominican Republic Plans to Start Deporting Up to 10,000 Haitians a Week

Government officials of the Dominican Republic have announced plans to start deporting Haitians living illegally in the country, potentially expelling up to 10,000 or more a week. In Oct. 2 media statements, government spokesman Homero Figueroa said the decision was based on the large number of Haitian migrants living illegally in the Dominican Republic. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are located on the same island, Hispaniola. “This operation aims to reduce the excessive migrant populations detected in Dominican communities,” he said. According to Figueroa, the deportations would start immediately and have a strict focus on ensuring “respect for human rights.” In the past, activists and observers have criticized the administration of current Dominican President Luis Abinader for alleged human rights violations against Haitians and those of Haitian descent born in the country. Abinader and his administration have denied any wrongdoing. He said in previous speeches at the U.N. that his country is bearing the downstream burdens of the humanitarian crisis in Haiti without much help from the rest of the world....