Local June 22, 2025 - 10:33 am

More than 17,000 Haitians were returned to their country in the first half of June.

Santo Domingo.- During the first 16 days of June, 17,155 Haitians were returned to their home country by Dominican immigration authorities, most of whom were in irregular immigration status.

Of those, 10,927 were deported and 6,228 repatriated, according to a report from the Statistics Department of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM).

The breakdown of deportations shows that the main control points were the towns of Haina (6,072), Dajabón (3,796), and Santiago (1,059).

On the other hand, repatriations were carried out through the official and regulated binational gates of Dajabón (1,024 repatriates), Elías Piña (2,968), Jimaní (1,182), and Pedernales (1,054).

According to the information it shares on deportations and repatriations, the Immigration Department asserts that these processes are carried out in accordance with security and legal protocols, as stipulated in Law 285-04, which regulates the entry, stay, exit, immigration, and return of individuals to the country.

Biometric validation and registration process

According to the DGM, deported Haitians undergo a biometric validation and registration process, during which they undergo an individual analysis, “following established procedures to guarantee respect for their rights and the safety of all involved.”

• These controls have been in place since  October 2024, when the government announced a mass deportation plan of up to 10,000 Haitians per week, as the political and social crisis in Haiti has led to an increase in immigration to the country.

Other measures

In addition, President Luis Abinader, in early April 2025, presented 15 additional measures, including a protocol requiring identification and home testing for Haitians attending hospitals in Dominican territory.