May 15, 2025
During the week of April 30, 2025, the Dominican Association of Banana Producers (ADOBANANO) urged the government to legalize the status of 15,000 undocumented Haitian workers who are essential to the banana industry. The request aims to stabilize a vital labor force and preserve the competitiveness of agricultural exports. However, it clashes with an increasingly restrictive immigration policy under President Luis Abinader.
Since taking office in 2020, Abinader has intensified measures against illegal immigration, including strengthening the border with Haiti and accelerating mass deportations. In 2024 alone, over 276,000 Haitians were expelled, and the government now plans to carry out 10,000 expulsions per week. These actions—justified by concerns over national security and strain on public services—have drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which denounce violations of basic rights.
The situation of Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic highlights the tension between economic needs and strict immigration policies. While key industries rely on this labor force, government actions continue to limit their presence
