President Abinader announces 15 measures to address Haitian migration

Santo Domingo.- In a televised address on Sunday, President Luis Abinader unveiled a package of 15 measures aimed at curbing irregular migration from Haiti and reinforcing the Dominican Republic’s sovereignty amid escalating instability in the neighboring country. He stressed the government’s determination to prevent Haitian organized crime from infiltrating Dominican territory, declaring that such groups “will not find refuge in our land.”

Key actions include the reorganization of border brigades into six operational zones, deploying an additional 1,500 troops to reinforce the already-present 9,500 along the border, and expediting construction of the border wall by adding 13 new kilometers. The president also proposed stricter immigration reforms, including legal penalties for individuals and entities that facilitate illegal migration. A total of 750 new immigration agents will be hired, and immigration offices will be expanded across all provinces.

Other significant steps involve creating a Specialized Immigration Attorney’s Office, adjusting regulations on border markets to curb misuse, and enforcing stricter hospital admission protocols for foreigners, which will involve ID and residency verification. Repatriation will follow for undocumented patients once stabilized. A Citizen Observatory of Migration Policy will be established, and legal expert Milton Ray Guevara will lead a review of immigration regulations. Efforts will also be made to “Dominicanize” employment in key sectors through wage increases and social program adjustments, while expanding funding for the mechanization of agriculture and construction to lessen reliance on undocumented labor.

President Abinader reaffirmed his commitment to continuing deportations, despite international criticism, and urged the global community to take responsibility for the Haitian crisis. He reiterated the importance of resuming the National Pact on Haiti and stood firm in defending national interests. “We will not ignore this problem, and we will not allow the disorder to cross our borders,” he concluded.