Dominican Republic assists over 20,000 repatriated citizens since 2015

Santo Domingo.- The Repatriation Reintegration Unit of the Dominican Republic’s Attorney General’s Office has assisted 20,115 individuals deported since 2015 for various legal violations abroad, according to Judge Danissa Cruz Taveras. The unit provides support such as obtaining identity documents, psychological assistance, legal aid, and help with small business financing to ensure a dignified reintegration into society. Deportees are received through a coordinated protocol that informs families in advance and provides immediate assistance upon arrival at the Haina Vacation Center in San Cristóbal.

Upon return, deportees do not receive a criminal record but are screened in the Criminal Investigation System (SIC) to identify any pending legal issues within the Dominican Republic. In 2024, authorities transferred 33 repatriated individuals with active arrest warrants to the relevant prosecutors, while 14 were processed in 2023. The biometric data of all returnees are collected, and their families must formally accept responsibility for them.

Statistics show that 43% of those repatriated violated immigration laws, 32% committed drug-related crimes, and 8% were involved in assaults, with the remaining 17% deported for other offenses. The unit has prioritized a humane approach, ensuring that repatriated citizens are aware of their rights and the reintegration services available to them.