Dominican Republic's Migration Crackdown: Arrests Target Pregnant Women and Children

In a controversial move, the Dominican Republic's government has initiated a crackdown on undocumented migrants, resulting in the arrest of over 130 Haitian women and children, many of whom are pregnant or have recently given birth. Critics argue that this approach exacerbates the plight of those fleeing violence and poverty in Haiti.

The Dominican Republic has commenced a significant crackdown on undocumented migrants, resulting in the arrest of over 130 Haitian women and children on the first day of operations in Santo Domingo's hospitals. This initiative, which forms part of the government’s strategy to deport up to 10,000 undocumented migrants weekly, has faced sharp criticism for its treatment of vulnerable populations.

The women detained included many who were pregnant or had recently given birth, raising concerns about their access to necessary medical care. These actions come as President Luis Abinader's government seeks to address the influx of migrants fleeing the dire situations in neighboring Haiti, characterized by gang violence and extreme poverty.

Witnesses, including a Haitian woman who was assisting her pregnant friend, voiced concerns that the crackdown could deter women in need of medical assistance from seeking help due to uncertainty surrounding their safety during hospital visits. She emphasized the risks associated with childbirth, particularly for women who may require immediate medical intervention post-delivery.

In response to the backlash, the immigration department claims that the detainees are being treated with dignity, noting that their biometric data and fingerprints are being collected in a detention center. Authorities have assured that women will receive necessary medical care and that undocumented mothers will face repatriation.

As part of current efforts to manage migration, the Dominican Republic has already deported over 80,000 individuals to Haiti in the first three months of this year. The government's frustration over the lack of international assistance for stabilizing Haiti continues to be echoed in its stringent immigration policies.