Dominican Republic tightens Haiti border as immigrants swell

Dajabón, DominicanRepublic.- Dominican authorities on Monday sealed the northwest border area withHaiti, as hundreds of Haitians many of them undocumented, try to enter thecountry which occupies the eastern two thirds of Hispaniola.

Many Haitians, whoaccording to the Immigration Agency don’t qualify to immigrate to DominicanRepublic, tried to enter collectively as immigrants, while others enteredDajabón for the binational market held Mondays and Fridays.

Quoted bylistin.com.do, Immigration Agency supervisor Rafael M. Vasquez said inconjunction with other agencies, security and surveillance along the border havebeen bolstered to prevent the entry of undocumented persons.

In a press conference,the official stressed that people with proper documents are allowed to crossthe border,

Vasquez said the Army, BorderGuards (Cesfront), Immigration inspectors and other security agencies arecomplying with the country´s immigration law

Chaos at bus stops

Haitians headed tocities in the region occupy most of the seats of the buses, sparking heated discussionsat the various stops

The Haitians live mostlyin Santiago, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, La Vega, Bonao, San Francisco deMacoris, and the country´s east regions.