Dominicanos de ascendência haitiana exigem restituição de cidadania

Currently, the Dominican Republic has 11 million inhabitants. Of this number, approximately 500,000 are Haitians who, for two centuries, have sought a new life in this country. Initially, the Dominican government encouraged migration because it needed labor for sugarcane planting. Over time, the country's economy changed, and in recent years, tourism has been the main driver. This has led to migration being seen as a problem. This is especially true because, with the destabilization of Haiti since 2004, the border with that country has become the most accessible for Haitians forced to leave. The flow is significant. However, since 2024, immigration policy has tightened. And this year, a process of deporting Haitians living in the Dominican Republic began. Thousands have already been deported under the pretext that the country cannot sustain the intense flow of migration. Even a wall was built on the border for better control. In this scenario, Haitian migrants who have lived in the country for decades have been under intense pressure. Older migrants are unable to receive pensions, even after living and working there for years. Younger migrants, born in the Dominican Republic, are no longer recognized as citizens. Some are even deported, and others are prevented from studying or working because they lack documentation. Elena Lorac, one of the coordinators of the Reconoci.do Movement, which fights for the recognition and restoration of Dominican citizenship to those born in the country, spoke with journalist Elaine Tavares about this situation of "statelessness" faced by the children of Haitians.