Deputies approve law imposing up to 40 years in prison for migrant trafficking

Santo Domingo.- The Chamber of Deputies approved in a second reading the bill amending Law 137-03 on Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking, introducing harsher penalties of up to 40 years in prison under aggravated circumstances. The bill now moves to the Executive Branch for enactment.

The revised law seeks to align penalties with the severity of the crimes, especially when aggravating factors—such as death, physical harm, torture, or the involvement of public officials—are present. Accomplices in migrant smuggling may face 10 to 15 years, while cases involving the death of a migrant could lead to 30 to 40 years. Sentences range from 25 to 30 years for causing physical harm or torture, and 20 to 25 years for other serious aggravating circumstances.

For human trafficking, the crime is now not subject to a statute of limitations and will carry penalties of 20 to 25 years in prison, plus fines ranging from 700 to 1,500 times the public sector minimum wage. Public officials involved in such crimes will face a 10-year ban from public service, which may extend to 20 years in cases of repeat offenses.