The Dominican Republic (DR) has long grappled with its complex relationship with Haiti, marked by a history of shared geography and fraught political dynamics. The hypocrisy lies in the DR’s demand for fair treatment abroad while mistreating Haitians domestically.
Central to this relationship is the DR’s treatment of Haitian migrants, who have been instrumental in bolstering sectors like agriculture and construction yet face systemic discrimination and marginalization. This paradox is further illuminated by events like the Massacre River canal dispute and the DR’s intensified deportation campaigns.
The roots of anti-Haitian sentiment in the DR are deep and multifaceted. A poignant example is the 1937 Parsley Massacre, where tens of thousands of Haitians and dark-skinned Dominicans were brutally killed under the orders of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo.
This atrocity solidified a national identity that starkly contrasted and distanced itself against not just Haiti but African lineage altogether. The massacre left an enduring legacy of racial tension and resentment.
Visibly Black Dominican citizens, when confronted with their Blackness, often reject it by saying, “I no Black, I Dominican,” reflecting the complex intersection of national identity and racial self-perception.
In contemporary times, this sentiment is manifested in legal frameworks that disenfranchise Dominicans of Haitian descent. A notable example is the 2013 Constitutional Court ruling, which struck down Jus Soli, retroactively stripping citizenship from individuals born to undocumented Haitian parents.
Identifying as Black is not just a racial label; historically, it has also been a political statement. It serves as a way for individuals to align themselves with their Afro-ancestry, acknowledging their roots and cultural identity.
Despite pervasive discrimination, the DR’s economy heavily relies on Haitian labor. Haitian migrants predominantly occupy low-wage positions in the agriculture, construction and domestic work sectors, which are crucial to the nation’s economic infrastructure.
Yet, these workers often endure poor working conditions, lack legal protections and face social exclusion. This dichotomy of economic dependence intertwined with systemic discrimination highlights the inherent contradictions in the DR’s immigration and labor policies.
The 2023 Massacre River Canal Dispute
In 2023, tensions between the DR and Haiti escalated over the construction of an irrigation canal by Haiti designed to divert water from the Massacre River located on the border between the two countries.
The river flows along the northern edge of the border, beginning in Haiti and running eastward, eventually emptying into the Caribbean Sea. The canal was intended to support the agricultural needs of small farmers who rely on irrigation for their crops.
The DR perceived the canal construction as a violation of the 1929 Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Arbitration, which governs the use of shared water resources. The apparent violation was due to a lack of consultation between the two states.
Some believe the canal was a threat to the DR’s hegemonic control over the Dajabón River’s (also called Massacre River) water resources, which contributed to the diplomatic tensions between the two countries, further complicating their relationship.
On Sept. 15, Dominican President Luis Abinader announced the closure and militarization of the border with Haiti at a press conference at the National Palace in Santo Domingo. The decision was one of several retaliatory measures in response to the construction.
Following this announcement, citing concerns over water rights and environmental impacts, the dispute not only strained diplomatic relations but also gave the DR a pretext to intensify deportations of Haitian migrants, exacerbating their already precarious living conditions.
The border closures have halted the flow of agricultural products into Haiti, putting businesses and families at risk.
As one of the DR’s largest trade partners, Haiti faces significant challenges and food insecurities, further fueling the push to build the canal — to increase self-reliance and ensure sustainable access to domestic produce.
This drive for independence has given rise to the term “kanal la pap kompe,” which translates to “the canal will not stop,” a prominent social movement in Haiti symbolizing the desire for Haiti to return as an agricultural superpower and strengthen its economy.
The canal dispute directly correlates with a significant escalation in the DR’s deportation of Haitian migrants. In late 2024, the Dominican government announced plans to deport up to 10,000 Haitians per week, citing an “excess” of immigrants and strained public services.
The U.N. and various international human rights groups and non-government organizations have urged the DR to halt these mass deportations, emphasizing the dire humanitarian crisis in Haiti and the potential for exacerbating instability.
This aggressive stance drew sharp criticism from international human rights organizations, which highlighted reports of abuses during deportation processes, including racial profiling, arbitrary detentions and the deportation of individuals with legal residency or Dominican citizenship.
The DR’s defense of its border integrity contrasts with its reaction when Dominican nationals abroad face stringent immigration enforcement. For instance, the Barrio Obrero neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is known for its significant Dominican population.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration conducted raids leading to the detention and deportation of numerous Dominicans while also ignoring international norms.
During ICE raids, Dominicans were apprehended in the streets, often without warrants, detained in overcrowded conditions and denied basic rights, undermining their dignity.
The swift condemnation from the Dominican diaspora across various social media platforms highlighted a discrepancy in how immigration policies are viewed domestically and abroad.
While the DR enforces strict immigration policies against Haitians, it expects leniency and humane treatment for its citizens abroad, highlighting a double standard in immigration and human rights discourse.
To justify mass deportations, Dominican officials argue that unchecked migration places an unsustainable strain on the country’s economy. Plus, public services like healthcare and education cannot support the increasing Haitian population.
With Haiti in crisis, the DR contends that it cannot absorb an influx of migrants without compromising its own stability.
While these arguments acknowledge legitimate challenges, they fail to account for the economic reliance on Haitian labor and the ethical responsibilities tied to mass deportations.
Rather than addressing immigration with sustainable policy solutions, the DR has leveraged security concerns as a pretext for racialized exclusions.
The Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Implications
The aggressive deportation policies have precipitated a humanitarian crisis. Deported individuals often find themselves in precarious situations upon return to Haiti, a nation grappling with political instability, gang violence and economic hardship.
Deported individuals are often dropped at the border with little oversight, left vulnerable and without proper support. This lack of assistance complicates their reintegration into Haiti, as they are abandoned without safe passage or resources to return to their homes.
Ideally, deportees should be handed over to the Haitian government, ensuring a more organized and dignified repatriation process.
Reports indicate that many deportees face dangerous conditions, with limited access to basic services and security. The influx of returnees strains Haiti’s already fragile infrastructure, exacerbating the challenges faced by local communities and the government.
While the DR has legitimate concerns about border security, these policies must align with international human rights standards and consider the dignity of migrants. The DR’s current approach raises serious concerns about its adherence to international standards.
The risk of creating stateless individuals underscores the need for the DR to ensure its policies align with international standards, as failing to do so further strains relations with Haiti and obstructs meaningful collaboration on shared challenges and solutions.
Constructive dialogue and cooperation are essential to develop sustainable solutions that respect the rights and needs of both nations’ populations.
The DR’s immigration policies toward Haitians reflect a complex fusion of historical prejudices, economic dependencies and political maneuvering. Addressing these issues requires understanding the socio-economic context, commitment to international norms and fostering cooperative efforts between the two nations.
Ultimately, the challenges faced by Haiti, including its internal security apparatus issues and mass immigration of their citizens seeking refuge anywhere that will accept them, often turn to nearby nations like the Bahamas.
This is not merely a concern for the U.S., Haiti, or the DR. It’s a regional crisis shaped by complex history, power dynamics and selective moral outrage.
Copy edited by Anijah Franklin
