[REVISION HISTORY]

Dominican Republic migration enforcement and policy debate

Updated 12 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-17 05:04 UTC → 2026-09-24 18:09 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In mid-August 2026, various Dominican sectors—including religious, labor, and health leaders—called for a migration policy that balances national security with human rights and economic development. During a ‘Voces Solidarias’ meeting at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, participants expressed concerns regarding Resolution DGM-001-2026. Experts noted that new requirements for renewing temporary work permits could hinder labor regularization in agriculture, construction, and domestic work, while health specialists warned of restricted medical access for vulnerable groups. ~~Simultaneously,~~ By mid-September, the ~~Dirección General de Migración (DGM) reported that it has processed 250,429 undocumented foreigners so far in 2026, comprising 186,139 deportations~~ National Institute of Migration (INM RD) began exploring cooperation with United Nations agencies, including UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, and ~~64,290 formal repatriations.~~ ILO, to strengthen research and evidence-based public migration policies. Enforcement remains ~~intensive; on 18 August, 997 foreigners were detained across 20 provinces, followed by an operation on 19 August that detained 1,868 Haitian nationals~~ intensive. Between 16 and 22 September 2026, the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) conducted extensive operations across 31 several provinces, resulting in ~~1,359 deportations through~~ 10,620 foreigners in irregular status being apprehended nationwide. The southern region accounted for 3,539 of these detentions. In Dajabón, authorities carried out 1,336 interdictions across border ~~points like~~ communities such as Restauración, El Carrizal, and Loma de Cabrera, while Elías Piña and Dajabón. To bolster security, the DGM is finalizing the implementation of advanced biometric technology in Dajabón. Additionally, the agency reported that between January and August 2026, 270 individuals were prosecuted in 198 cases involving migratory crimes. By late August, new challenges emerged regarding public services. Senator Omar Fernández reported a 716% increase in Haitian student enrollment in public schools between 2007 and 2025. In response to capacity shortages, the government launched a program to assist 15,000 students in private institutions. On 26 August, nationwide operations saw 1,079 detentions. These operations, involving the ~~DGM, Armed Forces, and~~ Dominican Army, National ~~Police resulted in the detention of 1,598 irregular migrants~~ Police, and the deportation of 1,112 individuals. Human rights concerns intensified following reports that a newborn infant was deported to Haiti after being born to an undocumented Haitian mother at the Dr. Marcelino Vélez Santana Hospital, amid allegations that hospital staff refused to register the father’s name Specialized Terrestrial Border Security Corps (CESFRONT), led to ~~prevent the child from claiming Dominican nationality.~~ 4,980 deportations through border crossings in Dajabón, Jimaní, Elías Piña, and Pedernales.

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