Dominican Republic: Sovereignty Concerns Rise as Lawmaker Denounces Abuses in Migration Operations

Sovereignty debate intensifies over international jurisdiction

The Instituto Duartiano has raised concerns over potential risks to national sovereignty linked to the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR).

Its president, Wilson Gómez Ramírez, warned that certain state actors could be promoting constitutional changes affecting nationality laws and migration control.

He specifically referenced the possibility of adopting absolute jus soli, which would grant Dominican nationality to children born in the country regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

According to Gómez Ramírez, such a measure could limit the state’s capacity to carry out deportations and reshape migration policy.

Call for caution amid Haiti crisis

The Instituto Duartiano also urged caution in relation to the ongoing crisis in Haiti, rejecting any direct involvement of the Dominican Republic in international military deployments.

Gómez Ramírez emphasized that Dominican foreign policy is based on the principle of non-intervention, as established in the Constitution, and argued that resolving Haiti’s crisis remains the responsibility of the international community, particularly:

• United Nations

• Organization of American States

He stressed the importance of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Senator denounces alleged abuses in migration enforcement

In parallel, Senator Antonio Marte of Santiago Rodríguez province publicly denounced alleged abuses during migration operations targeting Haitian nationals.

Speaking before the Dominican Senate, Marte accused some agents of engaging in extortion practices, claiming that migrants are sometimes asked to pay up to 30,000 Dominican pesos to avoid deportation.

He described these actions as a “real robbery,” raising concerns about the integrity of enforcement procedures.

Allegations of irregular operations

The senator further criticized what he described as:

• Operations conducted outside legal hours

• Intrusions into private properties

• Lack of procedural transparency

According to Marte, these practices undermine the rule of law and damage public trust in migration authorities.

Calls for transparency and accountability

Antonio Marte urged authorities to put an end to these alleged abuses and ensure that all migration operations are conducted in line with legal standards.

He emphasized that the issue extends beyond his province and affects the entire national territory, calling for a rigorous and responsible approach to migration governance.

A sensitive national issue

The developments highlight the sensitivity of migration policy in the Dominican Republic, particularly in the context of ongoing tensions linked to Haiti’s crisis.

Balancing sovereignty concerns, human rights obligations, and enforcement practices remains a key challenge for Dominican authorities.

Soraya Ades.