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BiggerDeputy Tony Bengoa: ‘Only 40,000 illegal Haitians deported out of over 2 million
Santo Domingo.- Tony Bengoa, deputy for Dajabón and member of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), dismissed claims that the deportation of illegal Haitian immigrants is causing a crisis in agriculture and construction in the Dominican Republic. He criticized sectors within President Luis Abinader’s government for opposing immigration measures aimed at reinforcing Dominican sovereignty and identity. Bengoa emphasized that only a fraction of the estimated two million Haitians in the country—less than 50,000—have been deported, urging an increase in deportations rather than halting them.
In response to proposals by the former Minister of Agriculture and former President Hipólito Mejía to issue work permits to Haitian laborers, Bengoa argued that Haiti’s current instability, marked by gang violence and terrorism, differs significantly from past conditions under Joaquín Balaguer. He rejected comparisons and insisted that the government’s actions are a rightful exercise of national sovereignty, rather than an overreach or a cause for crisis.
Bengoa also rejected accusations of racism, stating that President Abinader’s policies are focused on maintaining order and legality. He maintained that the government’s actions aim to protect the Dominican Republic’s interests while asserting control over immigration issues.
What does Deputy Bengoa suggest for support to fill the voids in the agriculture and construction economy to offset the deportation of Haitians? Don’t think he has one. Got to figure that at least ex Presidente Mejia suggested a permit process.
They can start by paying fair wages and benefits to Dominicans and also start implementing automated technologies in the agriculture sector.
Do you realize that increasing wages will result to higher cost of production thus higher price for the consumer right …?
Look at Canada for instances, wages are high compared to the Dominican Republic but guess what, everything single thing cost a lot to the point where people are struggling to even pay rent….
Now automation…. Sounds good on paper but in reality not so good… There is a reason the US still hire temporary worker to work in fields… Automation, you will first have to invest in the machinery then pay for maintenance, reparations while unskilled immigrants cost very less… There is no magic pills to every problems. 2 millions Haitian (not counting the legal residents), it will cost too damn much to report and even catch all of them, so why not I do not know, sentencing those border agents that pet illegals get into the country? But please, do not think for a second that deporting all Haitian will somehow turn the country into Dubai… It may very well kill the economy that relies heavily on tourism because or thanks to its affordability and if now Dominican fill those jobs, they will demand higher pay and hotels food ect price will skyrocket thus tourist will simply go somewhere else in Latin America who has Sun and beaches
With all due respect, Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. It struggles with high unemployment rates, limited opportunities, and political instability. All of these factors drive Haitians to seek healthcare, housing, food, education and/or safety in the DR…not just work.
With “59% of the [Haitian] population (approx. 7 million) living on less than US$2 per day”, and the failure of the Haitian Government to provide the basic needs to its citizens, it is easy to see why Haitians illegally cross into DR. In short, not just because of the demand of low-cost labor but to escape Haiti.
I know. And I also know that the vast majority of Haitian in the DR would rather be elsewhere. I know some Haitian in Santo Domingo and they are legal residents but even them they would rather be elsewhere because there seem to be some xenophobia from many people, not everyone but enough to makes you feel uncomfortable. But Haiti is just too broken. The issue is not wanting to control the border because every sovereign country has that right, the issue is the narrative, presenting Haitian like a threat to the nation, not showing any compassion whatsoever, just “threat to our nation”… So far I have yet to see any terrorist act from Haitian in the DR. Even though it is not up to the DR to fix Haiti problem and also other countries that criticize the DR have the same rethoric when faced with a lot of immigration… Look at Canada, it is becoming anti immigrant because there are large number of LEGAL IMMIGRANTS… And I am the first to say the real culprit is the Haitian political landscape
I completely agree that there is enough narratives to go around. However, the main issues still stands. Are there enough work, in agriculture and construction, to employ the number of Haitians crossing into DR without creating social tensions? Is this sustainable? Who pays for the uncontrolled immigration effects on healthcare, education, etc., especially in border regions.
It seems to me that DR is “stuck between a rock and a hard place” through no fault of their own. The gang violence is solely of Haitian making. The Haitian chronic poverty was not created by DR. At the same time, there seems to be an expectation that DR must contribute in easing the Haitian woes, because they shared an island.
In my humble opinion, there are no easy way to mitigate tensions between the peoples of the island, if there are no significant changes in Haiti first.
It’s not true that they have deported 40,000 illegals. Every day you see more and more of them.
Is it not your grand parents are from Haiti, what goes around comes around.God’s children are not illegals, they may undocumented. Stop the hate someday you will be treated the same.