Dominicans protest for deportation of undocumented migrants: Video
Hundreds of Dominicans are demanding the deportation of undocumented migrants, primarily from neighbouring Haiti.
The rally, held in the capital city of Santo Domingo, saw an atmosphere charged with a mix of frustration and determination as speakers addressed the crowd, highlighting the perceived economic and social burdens posed by the undocumented population.
Lidia Baez, a protester who spoke to AFP shared "I come to protest the illegal invasion from Haitians, we have full schools, we have full hospitals, we have a whole corrupt system that keeps those illegals here. We want our homeland to be 'us'... of us, we do not want Haitian invaders in our country."
Manuel Velez added, "The government is taking pressure from international organisations when we put him (President Luis Abinader) to lead us and to do the things that the Dominican people want him to do."
The protest was a response to the Dominican government's plan to deport up to 10,000 undocumented migrants per week as announced on Wednesday, October 2 by presidential spokesman Homero Figueroa.
"This operation aims to reduce the excessive migrant populations detected in Dominican communities," Figueroa explained, adding the expulsions would start "immediately" and be done "according to strict protocols that ensure respect for human rights."
