Ambassador José Tomás Pérez on Immigration and Documentation Policies

The Dominican Republic is committed to implementing its immigration and documentation policies in a transparent manner that recognizes each individual’s human rights. The goal of the Government’s policies is to guarantee a regular status to every person living on Dominican soil.

No person born in Dominican territory will be subject to expulsion or deportation. Unaccompanied minors will never be subject of deportation. Protocols have been established by the Government to ensure that immigration authorities investigate and handle each case on an individual basis in order to prevent unjust expulsion, family separation or uprooting.

The Government is committed to fulfilling its obligations with the utmost respect for international laws and practices. The Dominican Republic is working closely with civil society organizations and members of the international community to increase their understanding and awareness of our policies. It is important to note that the US Ambassador to the Dominican Republic has praised our commitment to transparency and immigration protocols.

Respect for human rights is at the center of our immigration and documentation policies. Our policies aim to bring everyone out of the shadows and into a legal framework that gives people rights they previously did not have, a positive development that benefits the entire island of Hispaniola and can serve as a model for the region.

Haitian Consul says DR is not violating rights.

On August 18, Listín Diario published and article about statements made by the Haitian consul in Dajabón, NoÎl Lukmen. A translated excerpt:

NoÎl Lukmen declared yesterday that to date he has not observed any irregularity or violation of the rights of Haitians who are returned to their country by the immigration authorities.

Lukmen confirmed that those repatriated to Haiti on Saturday, when the process of repatriation of Haitians in irregular immigration status and not registered in the National Regularization Plan began, were citizens born in Haiti and were living illegally in the Dominican Republic.

Former President of Uruguay Says Dominican Republic Cannot Solve All the Problems on the Island of Hispaniola.

On August 15, Julio Maria Sanguinetti wrote an op-ed in EL PAÍS. A translated excerpt:

“Beyond the numbers, there is a dramatic human reality that nobody can deny. We all have solidarity with Haiti, but it is clear that the Dominican Republic … cannot solve this situation alone…

The Dominican Republic has also suffered a strong migration, due to their own shortcomings, and endured bloody dictatorships such as Vargas Llosa describes in The Feast of the Goat. The difference is that it has managed to overcome. The three governments of Leonel Fernandez, now continued by Danilo Medina, have been exemplary in the democratic maturity, his penchant for constructive dialogue and progressive vision.

“…What is not acceptable is that Haiti, shielded by their poverty, the right to launch thousands of its citizens beyond its borders and then demand his neighbor to claim without justification.”

Human Rights NGO Praises Humane Repatriation Process.

On August 15, Acento published a story about the leaders of a Dominican Republic based NGO, the National Human Rights Commission-Dominican Republic (CNDH), and their visit to a reception center for undocumented foreigners. A translation of the article:

The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH-RD) praised the "humane treatment" offered to its detainees by the staff at the Reception Centre for Undocumented Aliens in Haina. The commission made a visit on Wednesday August 12.

The detainees welcomed the visit and expressed to the CNDH Mercedes their conformity with the treatment they receive from the General Directorate of Migration (DGM). On this matter, the CNDH president said he was "impressed by the hygiene and quality care that is given to foreigners."

He also regretted that this aspect was not highlighted by the international organizations that have inspected the repatriation process. "We must not only we denounce when things are bad, as the CNDH always does, but we also need to emphasize what authorities are handling well," said Mercedes.