In a shocking turn of events, Castillo Javier Police, a 21-year-old Dominican-born man, was detained and subsequently deported to Haiti, a country he had never been to. Despite showing officials his birth certificate proving his Dominican citizenship, Immigration authorities in the Dominican Republic still decided to deport him. Mr. Police, who is one of approximately 130,000 descendants of Haitian migrants living in the Dominican Republic without citizenship, now finds himself in a country plagued by gang violence, leaving him feeling lost and disconnected from his family.

The plight of stateless Dominicans, who are essentially left without any rights or opportunities, has been a longstanding issue. A court ruling from 10 years ago declared that children of undocumented migrants are not entitled to citizenship, leaving many individuals in legal limbo. These individuals are effectively barred from accessing affordable healthcare, pursuing higher education, and even obtaining high school diplomas.

Now, there are growing concerns that the situation is worsening, with human rights groups and Dominican citizens warning of an intensified deportation strategy targeting these stateless individuals. The surge of Haitians crossing the border following the assassination of Haiti's president, Jovenel Mo??se, has prompted the Dominican government to crack down on illegal immigration. Last year alone, over 113,490 people were deported to Haiti, and this number is expected to double this year.

However, it's not just undocumented migrants who are being targeted. Individuals born on Dominican soil are increasingly being subjected to deportations as well. Human rights organizations have assisted at least 800 people in returning to the Dominican Republic after being wrongfully expelled. The expulsion of these stateless Dominicans not only violates the Dominican Constitution but also risks violating international law, as warned by the United Nations.

In response to the mounting criticism, President Luis Abinader, who is running for re-election next year, has defended his immigration policies, citing national security concerns following the unrest in Haiti. Abinader has focused on constructing barriers along the border and shutting it down entirely when deemed necessary. His administration has rejected claims of human rights violations, arguing that the accusations lack evidence and even pointing out alleged xenophobic treatment of Haitian migrants by the Biden administration.

However, human rights organizations and the international community continue to condemn the Dominican Republic's treatment of individuals of Haitian descent. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has highlighted the negative consequences of statelessness, including children dropping out of school, early entry into the workforce, and increased vulnerability to abusive relationships and human trafficking.

Despite claims from the Dominican government that it promotes inclusion and nondiscrimination, many stateless Dominicans live in constant fear, always carrying their documents and expecting to be stopped at security checkpoints. The history between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which includes cooperation, tension, and violence, further complicates the situation. Both countries heavily rely on each other economically, with Haiti being the Dominican Republic's third-largest trading partner.

For individuals like Liliana Nuel, who aspires to be a nurse, the policy of denying citizenship based on Haitian heritage has made even daily activities a struggle. Ms. Nuel was stopped by immigration officers while on her way to her hospital internship, despite being born in the Dominican Republic to Haitian parents. She was only released when she showed them her nursing uniform.

The stories of Castillo Javier Police and Liliana Nuel highlight the urgent need for a solution to the statelessness issue in the Dominican Republic. Advocates argue that individuals like Mr. Police, who were born and raised in the country, should be provided with stability and a path to citizenship. The international community must continue to pressure the Dominican government to address this human rights crisis and take decisive action to protect the rights and well-being of all individuals living within its borders.