Ramfis Domínguez Trujillo defends Dominican sovereignty in letter to Pope Leo XIV

Santo Domingo.- Ramfis Domínguez Trujillo, president of the Democratic Hope Party (PED), addressed a formal letter to Pope Leo XIV in response to a Vatican News article titled “Haiti and the Dominican Republic, two hells for the same people.” In his message, Domínguez Trujillo presented what he described as a realistic, nationalist perspective on the Dominican Republic’s ongoing migration crisis, particularly concerning illegal Haitian immigration.

Emphasizing that his stance is rooted in patriotic duty and Catholic values—not xenophobia or racism—he argued that unchecked immigration has placed an unsustainable burden on the Dominican state. He cited that more than 10% of the national budget, around US$2 billion annually, is spent assisting Haitian immigrants. He also pointed to the strain on the healthcare system, particularly in maternity wards where, in some hospitals, up to 62% of births are to Haitian mothers, displacing Dominican patients and leading to preventable deaths.

Domínguez Trujillo reaffirmed the Dominican Republic’s sovereign right to secure its borders and protect national integrity, referencing Romans 13:1–7 to underline the moral duty of authorities to maintain order. He expressed concern over porous border security, which he said has enabled smuggling, drug and arms trafficking, and child exploitation. While he acknowledged President Abinader’s 15-point immigration plan as well-intentioned, he questioned its feasibility due to limited state capacity, particularly in carrying out mass deportations.

He also called for improvements in immigration detention centers and proposed systemic reforms such as specialized immigration courts and a Border Prosecutor’s Office to ensure justice and reduce corruption. Highlighting his long-standing support for a border wall—first proposed by him in 2011—he likened it to the biblical Wall of Jericho, symbolizing protection and sovereignty.

Concluding his letter, Domínguez Trujillo urged the Vatican and the international community to prioritize intervention in Haiti, suggesting that humanitarian aid aimed at the Dominican Republic instead be redirected to stabilize its neighbor. “It is my responsibility as a Catholic and as a political leader to always fight for the well-being of Dominicans,” he affirmed.