The Dominican Republic has intensified its immigration sweep, deporting dozens of pregnant women, new mothers, and children to neighboring Haiti in recent days. Dominican officials confirmed that 135 women and children were detained at an immigration holding center earlier this week before being bused across the border.
These expulsions come amid a controversial immigration directive introduced by President Luis Abinader’s administration. The new policy instructs staff at National Health Service (SNS) hospitals to verify each patient’s identification, proof of employment, and legal residency, with immigration officers now stationed in 33 public hospitals—facilities that handle most births to non‑citizens. Authorities insist the women and children were treated respectfully and removed only after doctors medically cleared them, yet human‑rights advocates say the rules effectively weaponize healthcare and endanger vulnerable families.
The Dominican Medical Association warned that requiring documentation during emergencies will keep people from seeking lifesaving care. Amnesty International echoed that concern, stating the policy “undermines the right to health, safety, and privacy,” especially for pregnant women, children, and survivors of violence who may now avoid hospitals for fear of immediate deportation. Despite government assurances that “no one will be denied care,” the chill is already felt: in the past six months, Dominican officials have expelled more than 180,000 people to Haiti.
Meanwhile, Haiti’s healthcare system is deteriorating. The University Hospital of Mirebalais—one of the country’s largest—was recently evacuated amid violent gang attacks, with buildings reportedly set ablaze, according to Partners In Health, which operates the facility. As Haiti struggles with escalating violence and shrinking medical resources, deporting mothers and children back across the border only deepens an already critical humanitarian crisis.
