January 29, 2026
Between January and April 2025, Dominican authorities expelled a staggering 119,003 Haitians living in the country without legal status — a sharp increase compared to the same period in 2024. The rise reflects a more aggressive migration policy following a resolution by the Dominican National Security Council in October 2024.
The deportations included 56,120 individuals officially expelled and another 62,883 repatriated through key border crossings. The majority of returns occurred at Dajabón, Elías Piña, Jimaní, and Pedernales, highlighting continued pressure along the northern and southern routes.
April was the most active month, accounting for 32,540 expulsions — surpassing figures recorded in March, February, and January. The data points to an increasingly systematic and forceful expulsion strategy.
Processing centers in Haina, Santiago, and Dajabón were among the most utilized for detentions and removals. In the capital, Santo Domingo, authorities reported 5,343 arrests in April alone, amid intensified immigration raids.
The General Directorate of Migration also reported the repatriation of 660 Haitians in a May 18 statement, following the interception of 1,139 undocumented migrants.
Despite mounting international criticism from human rights organizations, Haitian authorities have remained notably silent — a stance many observers now describe as deeply troubling in the face of mass returns and rising humanitarian concerns.
