Port-au-Prince, Tuesday, June 10, 2026 – The Dominican Republic continued its immigration control policy at a sustained pace in April 2026, with the expulsion of 21,007 Haitian nationals, according to data published by the Support Group for Returnees and Refugees (GARR). Despite a slight decrease compared to the previous month, the organization denounces practices that undermine the fundamental rights of migrants, particularly the most vulnerable groups.
According to the GARR report, 21,007 Haitians were expelled by Dominican authorities between April 1 and April 30, 2026, while 6,333 others were turned back to Haiti. In parallel, 23,372 people voluntarily returned to their country during the same period.
The document also highlights that the United States deported 133 Haitian nationals, including 117 men and 14 women, to the Cap-Haïtien international airport.
The expulsions recorded in April show a slight decrease compared to March, during which 22,103 people were deported, versus 21,140 in April, notably due to the absence of return operations from the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands during this period.
Vulnerable groups particularly affected
The report highlights the presence of many vulnerable profiles among those expelled from the Dominican Republic. In April 2026, GARR recorded: 96 deported pregnant women; 237 deported breastfeeding women; 149 people living with disabilities; 217 deported unaccompanied minors.
According to the organization, pregnant and breastfeeding women continue to be apprehended in Dominican health facilities before being transferred to detention centers deemed unsuitable for their condition. Several testimonies collected by GARR report poor hygiene conditions, unsanitary surroundings, as well as allegations of physical violence and the use of tear gas against detained individuals.
Faced with the scale of the expulsions, GARR teams based in Belladère provided assistance to 453 expelled migrants during the month of April. Among them were 74 women, 26 girls, 21 boys, and 332 men.
Within the Belladère reception center, the organization identified several people requiring specific care, including 8 pregnant women, 11 breastfeeding women, 3 people with physical disabilities, and 12 unaccompanied minors.
GARR denounces a “brutal” migration policy
Beyond the numbers, GARR considers that the deportation operations carried out at the Haitian-Dominican border continue to be accompanied by violations of the fundamental rights of Haitian migrants. The organization calls for the suspension of these policies, which it describes as brutal, and advocates for treatment that respects human dignity.
The report also observes that, despite the persistent deterioration of the economic and security situation in Haiti, many citizens continue to try their luck on migration routes, including by sea, hoping to reach destinations perceived as offering better life prospects.
By Marie Farah Fortuné and Darbouze Figaro
