The deportation of migrants is a crucial problem. The deportation of migrants takes place from different countries including the Dominican Republic, leading to negative outcomes including deaths. In the latest deportation attempts, according to multiple sources including the BBC and CNN, the Dominican Republic, which expelled displaced migrants earlier, plans to deport up to 10,000 undocumented migrants came from Haiti a week to combat uncontrolled migration. While this may improve the conditions of the host country by reducing the burden of refugees, this will put migrants in trouble in Haiti, which has been in crisis because of the rising gang violence and the resignation of the earlier government, the Ariel Henry government.
It is notable that there are limited peace steps-based and other factors that lead to the forced deportation of migrants from the Dominican Republic. The enforcement of strict immigration policies against displaced migrants, who lack the legal documentation, the renewed surge of migrants from Haiti and perceived and/or real threats to national security play vital roles in the deportation of displaced migrants. But — importantly — limited support from international organizations and donors, the uncertainty of the Haiti crisis that resulted in forced displacement and the failure of transnational actors to establish greater stability in the country of origin are also important reasons. Among others, political tensions and boundary disputes between the countries and contribute to the high rates of forceful migrant deportation.
International organizations and different countries take various steps to address forced deportation from the Dominican Republic, which is often surged with migrants. While international actors including the United Nations have urged for suspending the deportation of migrants, many organizations including the International Organization for Migration have been working with the government of the Dominican Republic, which often carries out raids and arrests migrants, to protect the rights of displaced migrants and provide humanitarian aid and support to those affected. But there are flaws in the steps of international actors, leading to the forced deportation of Haitian migrants from the Dominican Republic not only many times in the past but also at present.
There is, importantly, a failure to address the root causes of the ongoing crisis in Haiti and limited steps to resolve it, leading to delays that put the burden on the host country. For instance, the Dominican Republic blames that there are slow steps of international actors to address the crisis in Haiti, driven by the rising gang violence and the lack of security, which led to the fleeing of tens of thousands of Haitians across the border into the former. Among others, there remains a lack of sufficient funding and inadequate cooperation between the government and international organizations — needed to protect migrants in the Dominican Republic.
It is desired that the concerns of deporting displaced migrants from the Dominican Republic be addressed. While the Dominican Republic is desired to end forced deportation, international actors need to make the grounds in Haiti for peaceful repatriation. For this, peace steps need to be made by international actors to address the ongoing crisis driven by gang violence, restore stability and ensure the safety of returned migrants in Haiti. Reaching a repatriation deal between the countries will be helpful. But the inhumane treatment of Haitian migrants needs to be ended.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
