December 23, 2024
On October 17, 2024, Haitian migrants detained at the Haina Detention Center in the Dominican Republic forcefully expressed their desire to be deported back to Haiti, shedding light on the difficult living conditions within the facility. This revolt, reported by local media and accompanied by videos circulating on social media, revealed the growing frustrations among these migrants, who are exasperated by their circumstances.
In one widely shared video, cries in Creole can be heard from inside the center, where hungry migrants claimed to be destroying doors to make their voices heard. “We are hungry, and they won’t let us out,” could be heard. The footage shows a broken door on the ground, with migrants denouncing the lack of adequate conditions in the facility.
Following the incident, the General Directorate of Immigration (DGM) announced increased security measures within the center. These measures aimed to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, according to statements made to local media.
The DGM further explained that the detainees’ frustration had intensified due to the temporary suspension of deportations, which coincided with Haiti’s national holiday, commemorating the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines. With Haitian authorities unavailable during this period, no repatriations could be carried out, exacerbating tensions.
The Haina center, managed by the DGM, houses migrants in irregular situations while they await deportation. The incident on October 17 once again highlights the challenges faced by migrants in these detention centers, particularly concerning living conditions.