The ordeal of an undocumented Haitian migrant in the Dominican Republic

May 7, 2026

Evens, a 33-year-old former Haitian public administrator, fled to the Dominican Republic illegally in 2021 after escalating gang violence and the assassination of President Moïse made life in Port-au-Prince unbearable. He lived in hiding for years, relying on family support from the United States while avoiding Dominican authorities who intensified deportation efforts between 2023 and 2024. After his arrest in December 2025, he was detained in deplorable conditions and deported to Haiti, only to pay smugglers $400 to return illegally to the Dominican Republic because gang-controlled roads made returning home impossible.

Who is affected

Evens (pseudonym), a 33-year-old former Haitian public administrator living illegally in the Dominican Republic
Tens of thousands of undocumented Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic
Over 200,000 Dominicans of Haitian descent who lost citizenship due to the 2013 TC 0168/13 ruling
Haitian workers in Dominican construction and agricultural sectors (Bateyes) who lack legal documentation and labor protections
Evens' friend, a final-year medical student with valid documentation who was arrested but released
Evens' family members in the United States providing financial support
Migrants traveling dangerous smuggling routes who face robbery, sexual assault, and death

What action is being taken

The Dominican government is implementing tougher control measures and increased deportations of undocumented Haitian migrants
Dominican police are verifying all types of vehicles and conducting arrests of undocumented migrants
The International Organization for Migration (IOM/OIM) is providing medical examinations, food, water, and documentation services to deportees at the Belladère border
Self-defense groups and BSAP (Brigade de Protection des Aires Protégées) agents are controlling roads and conducting verifications to prevent gang invasions in Haiti
Evens is seeking ways to find a pathway to another country where he can regain his freedom and dignity

Why it matters

This story illustrates the humanitarian crisis facing Haitians trapped between gang violence at home and systemic discrimination abroad, with nowhere safe to go. The situation highlights how political instability—exemplified by President Moïse's assassination—creates refugee flows that neighboring countries handle through mass deportations rather than humanitarian protection. The case exposes deep-rooted anti-Haitian racism in the Dominican Republic stemming from historical tensions, which manifests in citizenship stripping, labor exploitation, and human rights violations. Evens' experience also demonstrates how changing U.S. immigration policies directly impact vulnerable populations, as the termination of the Humanitarian Parole programme eliminated his only legal pathway to safety after two years of waiting. The cycle of deportation and dangerous re-entry through smuggling networks perpetuates exploitation and suffering for thousands of migrants.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices