Smaller
BiggerCitizens complain about Immigration operations against illegal foreigners in Santiago
Operations cause displeasure to Dominicans who employ Haitians in their businesses (CÉSAR JIMÉNEZ)
Santiago – Recent operations by the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) in Santiago have generated dozens of complaints among employers and residents as the authorities reinforce their strategy of mass deportation of illegal immigrants.
To date, hundreds of Haitians have been detained, a situation that would be affecting several citizens who claim that both businesses and families depend on foreign labor.
In the sector of El Ingenio Abajo, a Haitian-national delivery man at a grocery store was arrested, and his motorcycle seized. Juan Minaya, the owner of the grocery store where he worked, went to the collection center for foreigners in an irregular situation to recover his vehicle.
“This is a robbery,” alleged Minaya, arguing that his motorcycle was completely legal and should be returned along with the merchandise and money that his employee had at the time of the arrest.
Similarly, Nancy, a nursery owner in Licey, expressed her anger after an immigration contingent took away the 20 Haitians who had been working with her since the early hours of Saturday.
“I don’t agree that they should take them all away. They should take away those who are not working, but those who are working honestly should stay. I don’t know how I am going to continue working,” he lamented.
Another affected person, Luis de los Santos, denounced that his vehicle, rented to a Haitian who worked as a driver on route M, was also seized. “I am the owner of the vehicle and my documents are up to date. I demand that it be returned to me,” he stated.
The operation seeks to deport 10,000 undocumented migrants weekly
The operation, announced by the government on October 2, is part of a comprehensive plan to deport up to 10,000 Haitians per week.
Preliminary national figures indicate that on Thursday alone, 1,242 Haitians were deported, while on Friday, the figure was 1,182. In Santiago, Friday’s operations left a balance of 510 detainees, although the exact number has not yet been revealed for this Saturday.
The Diario Libre team tried to contact a representative of the DGM at the collection center without success. A soldier indicated that the colonel in charge was in San Jose de las Matas and was not available for questions.
However, the communications department of the institution informed via telephone about the preliminary figures and confirmed that the operations will continue in the coming days.
The government plan includes, in addition to the massive repatriations, the increase of personnel at the borders, and the dismantling of human trafficking networks.
These measures were taken after President Luis Abinader’s recent speech to the UN General Assembly pointed out the limited results of the Kenya-led Multinational Haitian Police Support Mission.
The government has emphasized that it seeks to address the growing problem of irregular migration and guarantee the country’s security and stability.
In principle the Government is entirely correct, but needs to distinguish between illegal entrants and Haitians who have lived and worked here for years, have applied for residence but are only prevented from doing so by the abject failure of their Government to issue or renew passports. A solution was worked out for Venezuelans in a similar position, why not for Haitians? Without such a solution, law abiding Haitians live in constant fear of being dragged off the street and thousands of Dominican business, small and large stand to lose valuable employees.
Its simple, don’t hire illegal migrants.hire Dominicans and hire migrants with up to date papers
You cant get pappers if youre haitian, its next to impossible. you have be internet savvy and fairly eductaed to understand the requirements. most just want work and eat. thats why so many lawyers are corrupt, they just fleece them.
Yeah but Dominicans are not as good workers as Haitians. Dominicans are a bit lazy and don’t like to work hard as the Haitians. Haitians are much better workers.
This is the crazies thing ever. I just don’t hear this from other people but also from my fellow Dominicans. Dominicans in their native land cant get a fare wage and benefits ?The Dominicans working legally contribute to the nations taxes which are paying for Haitians children to go to school and for their woman to give birth for free in the Dr. If the roles were reversed would Haitians in Haiti would be working for penny on the dollars in Haiti.
This are the same Dominicans who exploited this poor Haitians. For Pennie’s on the dollar. This people should be ashamed of themselves. This people don’t want to pay Dominicans a living wage just use Haitians as slaves.
The operation, announced by the government on October 2, is part of a comprehensive plan to deport up to 10,000 Haitians per week.
Huh. 2 de octobre…… 1937 ring a bell? October 2 -8. Parsely Massacre. Not genocide this time, congratulations, but still ruining lives.
Maybe be conscious of the anniversary of the atrocities committed by Dominicanos upon Haitianos. Maybe pretend like you care. Or…. maybe make it a National Holiday.- Hate Thy Neighbor Day.
You want an award for that performance, drama queen? This is nothing like 1937 and you know it. May I remind you who tried multiple times to steal away DR by force before they were finally kicked out for good in 1844? You really don’t wanna start that conversation now, right?
It is for your own protection. Allowing these people to overwhelm Mi Pais will lead to disaster. All these employers care about is their CHEAP labor. Hire tu gente instead! I’ve been to Santiago, I love it more than the Capital to be honest, I don’t want to see it transformed into something very different. Well done, Presidente Abinader! Te saludos desde Nueva York! Que viva mi Quisqueya bella!