Santo Domingo.- Juan Miguel Castillo Pantaleón, a prominent lawyer, has cautioned that the involvement of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Dominican Republic’s immigration matters poses risks. He highlighted the IOM’s significant participation in proposing the establishment of refugee camps, with each accommodating at least 90,000 Haitians, in border provinces.
Castillo Pantaleón dismissed the notion put forth by the IOM that its primary focus is on assisting Venezuelan migrants, branding it as a falsehood. He argued that the organization’s actions have consistently leaned towards promoting Haitian migration, often overstepping its mandate by assuming roles typically reserved for the Dominican State. He criticized the IOM for opening offices without proper authorization and failing to provide information to relevant authorities.
Expressing concern over the IOM’s increasing interference in migration policies, Castillo Pantaleón highlighted the organization’s role in designing the Plan for the Management of Mass Flow of Immigrants. He, along with others, challenged the plan’s legality before the Superior Administrative Court (TSA), particularly objecting to the establishment of refugee camps, which he deemed unconstitutional.
Castillo Pantaleón underscored the precarious situation posed by Haiti, a failed state with high levels of migration and low human development indicators. He criticized the IOM for exacerbating migration issues in the Dominican Republic, stressing the need for a more balanced approach that prioritizes the interests of destination countries and migrants alike.
Furthermore, Castillo Pantaleón raised concerns about violations of human rights, particularly in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He revealed that the Contingency Plan for Mass Flows of Immigrants, which could potentially compromise the island’s territorial integrity, was financed by the United States State Department.
Having played a significant role in shaping immigration laws and regulations in the Dominican Republic, Castillo Pantaleón urged for a reevaluation of the IOM’s involvement in immigration matters to ensure compliance with legal and constitutional principles.