Human Dignity and Deportations

In line with this message, on April 12 a broad group of Catholic organizations and their allies at the national and international levels published an important statement entitled Human Dignity and Deportations, which in essence reads as follows:

"It is imperative to recognize the existence of a migration crisis affecting much of the world and the Dominican Republic. However, we should not address this crisis as an isolated problem, but rather as an opportunity to strengthen the social and economic fabric of our country. We firmly believe in the capacity of our people to overcome this crisis. The history of the Dominican people is marked by resilience and solidarity, values that today call us to act with justice and compassion. Actions taken in any crisis situation must always respect human dignity and conform to national and international laws. This includes humane treatment for all migrants and their descendants and fair and transparent processes for the regularization and renewal of documents...

In their message of February 27, 2021, the Dominican bishops, quoting Pope Francis, told us: 'I understand that some people may have doubts and feel fear when confronted with migrants. I understand this as part of the natural instinct of self-defense. But it is also true that a person and a people are fruitful only if they know how to creatively integrate openness to others within themselves.' ... 'We cannot turn a blind eye to the hardships many immigrants suffer in our country. We invite our authorities to continue working to achieve a clear policy on this matter, and on that basis to make firm and transparent decisions, with strict respect for human rights and the dignity of persons.'

The cries for justice and equity resonate strongly in the streets of our people. Cries of indignation against migration operations in our bateyes, such as the case of March 15, 2024 at 2 a.m. in the communities of El Seibo, Villa Guerrero, Santa Lucia, Km 4 and Km 8, where there was physical and psychological violence against children, pregnant women, and vulnerable persons. Cries of pain for the detainees who must pay exorbitant sums to return to their homes. As a country, we are obliged to act within a legal framework that respects human dignity. It is clear that a dozen peasant families or families from a marginalized neighborhood in Santo Domingo are not the ones putting 'national security' at risk; the greatest source of insecurity at our border is corruption.

The distinction between migrants and their descendants and those who in recent years have resided in the country in a regular manner is essential for a fair and effective migration policy that guarantees full compliance with Law 285-04 and, as established by Law 169-14 of May 21, 2014, for regularization and naturalization. As priests, consecrated women, and pastoral agents, we raise our voices on behalf of families, workers, older people, pregnant women who already live among us, and all those who have found a home in the Dominican Republic. We also speak for Haitian students enrolled in our universities through formal and valid channels who are being denied the possibility of renewing their visas and prevented from continuing their studies.

We call on President Luis Abinader Corona and the competent institutions to undertake serious reflection, dialogue, and action based on human rights. The conditions of total violence and insecurity suffered by our neighbors challenge us to be compassionate and oblige us to stop deportations and provide an ethical and legal response to the migration crisis. Dominicans are a noble and hospitable people, and the abuses we have pointed out destroy the most fundamental values of our identity.

We entrust to Our Lady of Altagracia, Mother of this Island, the care of her sons and daughters. Amen."