1,354 undocumented immigrants arrested and 1,030 deported
SANTO DOMINGO . The General Directorate of Immigration (DGM) continued to intensify its immigration control operations today, intervening in foreign settlements in Monte Plata, Gonzalo, and Sabana Grande de Boyá, inspecting various businesses owned by foreigners established in Santo Domingo to verify the legal status of individuals of various nationalities working there, and maintaining interdictions against undocumented persons throughout the country.
As a result of these actions, 1,354 Haitian nationals with irregular immigration status were detained, while 1,030 were deported to their country of origin, with assisted return and humanitarian assistance.
The implementation of the operations in the province of Monte Plata and its municipalities occurred after the DGM verified complaints from community members about settlements of undocumented foreigners whose habits and cultural customs were causing discontent among residents of the aforementioned municipality.
The immigration units proceeded within the framework of an operational approach based on procedures protected by the current legal framework. In these areas, Haitian nationals in an irregular situation were interdicted and detained. They were taken to the Haina detention center for irregular immigrants to be registered and cleared as stipulated by Law 285-04, which governs the matter.
In another development, the DGM reported on the inspection of businesses operating with illegal immigrants. Immigration interdiction agents acted in stores and plazas on Duarte Avenue and República de Colombia Avenue, following reports that the businesses were filled with immigrants without valid documentation and exceeding the legally established percentages. The DGM units were accompanied by inspectors from the Ministry of Labor and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Overall, 1,354 illegal immigrants were arrested in nationwide interdiction operations, of which 178 were in Greater Santo Domingo; 79 in Santiago de los Caballeros; 46 in La Vega; 59 in Mao/Santiago Rodríguez; 89 in the East Zone; 18 in Azua; 23 in Barahona; 50 in Puerto Plata; and 3 in Montecristi.
Likewise, the Dominican Army arrested 644 people, Cesfront arrested 145, and the National Police arrested 20. These actions were coordinated with the DGM and also involved the participation of the Dominican Navy, the Air Force, Ciutran, Digesett, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, among others.
The 1,030 deportees were re-entered into their country through the binational border gates of Elías Piña (565), Dajabón (252), Jimaní (132) and Pedernales, 81. They were received by the immigration authorities of their country.
Communications Directorate