Walfry Francisco Labour Gutiérrez, director of the district board of Santiago de la Cruz in Dajabón province, gave a five-day deadline on Thursday for undocumented Haitians in the area to leave the territory. He stated that this action is a result of the behaviors of Haitians in the area, such as engaging in livestock theft and walking the streets as if they have legal documents, when in fact they do not.
The official also mentioned that the community can no longer tolerate the irresponsibility of the migration authorities for not doing their job, and as a result, they are taking matters into their own hands. He criticized the authorities for not taking more effective action to prevent undocumented individuals from entering the country and allowing them to enter the territory so easily.
He denounced the current critical situation with Haitians in the area, noting that it is so severe that even people with mental health issues are seen walking around Dajabón. He expressed concern over the ease with which undocumented individuals are able to enter the country and called attention to the fact that they are even seen in front of police stations.
The director highlighted that once the deadline expires, they will mobilize the population of Santiago de la Cruz, along with municipal police officers, to approach the General Directorate of Migration and the Dominican Army to support the eviction of foreigners. He emphasized the need for a joint effort to address the issue and ensure that undocumented individuals are removed from the territory.
In light of the situation, it is essential to take action to address the presence of undocumented immigrants in the area and prevent further issues from arising. The director’s stance reflects the frustration of the community with the lack of effective measures taken by migration authorities to control the situation. The planned eviction of undocumented Haitians highlights the need for cooperation between local authorities, migration officials, and the military to address the issue effectively.
