Dominican Republic to temporarily receive third-country nationals under U.S. deal

Santo Domingo.- The Government of the Dominican Republic has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States under the Shield of the Americas initiative, allowing the temporary and exceptional entry of a limited number of third-country nationals into Dominican territory.

According to the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic), the program applies only to individuals in transit who have no criminal records and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Haitian nationals and unaccompanied minors are explicitly excluded. The U.S. government will provide financial and operational support to cover temporary accommodations and facilitate the orderly return of participants to their countries of origin.

Authorities emphasized that the agreement does not change the Dominican Republic’s migration policy or existing border control procedures. Instead, it forms part of a broader bilateral agenda focused on combating drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, and terrorism, while improving the humane and orderly management of migration flows. The two countries are also working to strengthen airport and border security through biometric systems and new technologies that will modernize controls at major entry points.

As part of its counterterrorism commitments, the Dominican government announced that it has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations by presidential decree. Officials said the overall cooperation framework is designed to enhance regional security, stability, and economic competitiveness, including long-term benefits for connectivity and tourism.