Dominican Migration explains protocol for passengers with travel bans

Santo Domingo.- The General Directorate of Migration (DGM) clarified Wednesday that it only prevents a person from leaving the country when there is a formal court order submitted to the institution through the channels established by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR).

The clarification came after a message circulated on social media alleging that immigration inspectors had prevented a person from boarding an international flight and had detained him despite a document from the provincial prosecutor’s office stating that he had no outstanding legal matters.

The DGM explained that, in this case, the travel ban had been issued by the PGR and could only be lifted through a new order from the Attorney General’s Office formally communicated to Migration.

The agency said that when a person with a travel ban is detected attempting to leave the country, immigration officials must detain the individual and notify the Public Prosecutor’s Office for instructions on how to proceed.

Migration emphasized that it does not make arrests arbitrarily or on its own initiative. Rather, it carries out immigration controls in accordance with orders and instructions issued by the competent authorities.

The DGM added that when an alert or travel restriction appears in its system, immigration inspectors follow established protocols and notify the relevant authorities before authorizing a citizen to leave the country.