Haiti launched a voluntary repatriation operation for 720 of its nationals after Dominican authorities demolished properties within the Haitian settlement often called Mata Mosquito — or “Pequeño Haiti” — close to Higüey, the capital metropolis of the jap La Altagracia Province.
The affected Haitians, lots of whom had been hiding in rugged terrain and ravines to keep away from immigration raids, boarded buses for his or her return journey to Haiti. The operation was overseen by the Haitian Consul in Higüey, Wenceslas Lambert, who coordinated the logistics till the 9 buses rolled out alongside Boulevard de l’Est in the direction of the official border crossings at Dajabón, Comendador, and Pedernales.
The repatriation effort was supported by the Zilé Basis, via former Haitian ambassador Edwin Paraison, and by Dr. Joseph Chérubin and his workforce from the Social Motion for Sociocultural and Environmental Work (Mostha).
Almost 300 brokers from the Dominican Republic’s Directorate General of Migration (DGM) have been deployed to “facilitate” the departure, with a DGM unit main the convoy.
The operation comes amid rising tensions within the Dominican Republic over the presence of undocumented Haitians. On Sunday, demonstrators gathered close to the presidential palace in Santo Domingo, backing President Luis Abinader’s hardline immigration insurance policies. Protesters waved indicators studying “Expel them already,” “The Dominican Republic is for Dominicans,” and “We’re fed up.”
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Since taking workplace in 2020, President Abinader has tightened immigration controls, significantly concentrating on Haitian nationals. Earlier this month, he launched a controversial new protocol requiring hospitals to request identification paperwork, proof of residence, and fee from foreigners in search of medical care.
The clampdown has already seen outcomes: final Monday, Dominican authorities reported the arrest of 87 girls and 48 youngsters in hospitals and maternity wards throughout the nation — with greater than half being pregnant girls or new moms.
Because the scenario between the 2 nations stays tense, Haiti’s transfer to prepare voluntary repatriations highlights the deepening humanitarian and political challenges alongside the Hispaniola border.
