Dominican Republic–Haiti Border: 65 Haitian Migrants Intercepted and U.S. Senator Visits for Security Cooperation

Irregular Migration: 65 Haitians Detected by Drones and Intercepted at the Border

A group of 65 Haitian nationals in irregular migratory status was detected by aerial surveillance while crossing the Dominican border through the Masacre River in the province of Dajabón.

The detection occurred during operations conducted by the 10th Infantry Battalion of the Dominican Army, based at Fortaleza Beller.

Military drones located the group in the La Sal area, allowing troops to deploy rapidly and intercept the migrants once they had entered Dominican territory.

According to the military report, the group consisted of 55 men, 8 women and 2 minors, all Haitian nationals without migration documents.

Following their arrest, they were transferred to the Dirección General de Migración (DGM) for the corresponding legal procedures.

Dominican authorities indicated that border surveillance will continue to be strengthened through ground patrols and technological support, particularly the use of drones.

In 2025, the Dominican Republic expelled 379,553 Haitian nationals, representing a 37.4 percent increase compared with 2024. Migration authorities also intensified operations with more than 6,500 interventions, using body cameras, facial recognition and biometric registries to modernize border control.

Security Cooperation: U.S. Senator Visits the Dominican–Haitian Border

In this context, Bernie Moreno visited the Dominican–Haitian border on March 6, 2026, in the province of Dajabón.

He toured the area alongside the commander of the Dominican Army, Iván Camino Pérez, and the director of the Cuerpo Especializado en Seguridad Fronteriza Terrestre (CESFRONT), José Rodríguez Coste.

During the visit, Moreno stated:

“This country is one of the best friends of the United States. I am here to see how we can help it ensure security and prosperity for its citizens.”

The visit reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen security cooperation between the United States and the Dominican Republic, amid migration challenges and persistent tensions along the border with Haiti.