Migration authority affirms commitment to respecting human rights

Santo Domingo.- The General Directorate of Migration (DGM) continued its operations over the weekend to deport up to 10,000 foreigners per week, as part of an initiative announced by President Luis Abinader. Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, the DGM director, emphasized that all actions are conducted with respect for human rights and proportional use of force.

Lee Ballester noted that some individuals with documents were still detained because they failed to provide credible identification to justify their presence in the Dominican Republic. He also highlighted that minors who are detained are handled in accordance with Law 136-03, working alongside the National Council for Children and Adolescents (Conani) to ensure their rights and safety.

Since the campaign’s launch on October 1, a total of 9,117 foreigners have been deported and repatriated, with 7,217 of those being part of the recent large-scale interdiction efforts. These operations are supported by various security forces, including the Armed Forces, the National Police, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.