Lourdia Jean Pierre, an undocumented Haitian woman living in the Dominican Republic, died on May 9 in tragic circumstances after giving birth to her child at home, in a small, makeshift dwelling in the province of El Seibo.
Terrified of being arrested and deported, the 32-year-old woman refused to go to a hospital despite the risks.
“She gave birth without any problem at first—everything seemed fine. But then she started struggling to breathe,” her husband, Ronald Jean, told The Guardian.
He tried to alert neighbors and call for help, but by the time the ambulance arrived, it was too late.
Just weeks earlier, Dominican authorities had intensified their crackdown on undocumented Haitian immigrants.
According to The Guardian, fear quickly spread throughout Haitian communities.
“This is a form of persecution,” said Ronald Jean. “People are hiding, afraid to go outside, afraid to go to the hospital. It wasn’t my decision for her to give birth at home. We had no choice.”
The United Nations has expressed concern over what it called a dangerous and inhumane policy. In a recent statement, the organization reported that nearly 900 pregnant women or new mothers were deported in a single month. Several NGOs have condemned the approach as “racist and misogynistic,” The Guardian reported.
When emergency responders arrived at the couple’s home, Lourdia Jean Pierre’s newborn was taken to a hospital. The father, who went along, was also detained.
“They asked for my papers, and I explained that my work permit had expired. They arrested me. I was devastated—my baby was all alone.” He was only released following protests from local residents.
After borrowing money to cover funeral costs, Ronald Jean held a quiet ceremony the same day, fearing the presence of other Haitians might draw the attention of authorities.
“I was scared. People say when too many Haitians gather, immigration shows up,” he told The Guardian.
A video showing Lourdia Jean Pierre’s body lying on the ground quickly circulated on social media, sparking outrage.
A letter signed by more than 400 organizations worldwide was sent to Dominican authorities, denouncing what they called a “violation of the most basic human rights.”
Ronald Jean, who had been working legally in the Dominican Republic since 2018, brought his wife to join him in 2021 as conditions worsened in Haiti.
The couple had left two children behind in Haiti, and their third child was born in the Dominican Republic.
Ronald blames both the gang violence in Haiti and the Dominican Republic’s immigration policies for the tragedy.
“I respect Dominican laws, but living in Haiti has become impossible. We have no choice,” he said.
Now a widower, Ronald Jean says he wants to return to Haiti, despite the insecurity.
“I’m not safe here. Life is very hard. I cry, I pray. I’m in a very difficult situation,” he told The Guardian, which produced a special report on the tragic death of Lourdia Jean Pierre.
