Authorities deport 18,067 Haitians in just 16 days

Santo Domingo.- The Minister of the Interior and Police, Faride Raful, announced that 18,067 Haitians were deported between August 1 and 16 as part of joint operations with the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) and the Ministry of Defense, aimed at preventing the smuggling of undocumented immigrants. The announcement came at the conclusion of the 103rd follow-up meeting on the Citizen Security Plan, led by President Luis Abinader.

Addressing a recent incident in Villa Mella, Santo Domingo Norte, where a citizen pointed a gun at police officers, Minister Raful emphasized that while police must respect citizens’ rights, the public also has a responsibility to practice peaceful coexistence and respect authorities. She acknowledged that the police face ongoing challenges in prevention, education, and community engagement.

Raful expressed concern over the incident, noting that it reflects a lack of understanding of the authorities’ role among some citizens, but stressed that there is always room for improvement.