Dominican Republic Immigration Raid: 35 Haitians Detained, Chinese Business Owner Charged

Dominican Republic Immigration Officials Conduct Joint Operation, Detaining 35 Haitian Nationals and Charging a Chinese Business Owner. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – May 29, 2025. A recent joint operation involving Dominican immigration authorities, the Armed Forces, and the National Police resulted in the detention of 35 Haitian nationals for working illegally within the country. The operation, which took place in Santo Domingo, also led to the arrest of a Chinese citizen, the owner of the Mudan store on Duarte Avenue, for allegedly assaulting officers and obstructing the raid. A video of the event shows officers apprehending individuals and escorting them to a waiting transport vehicle. The scene is tense, with some detainees visibly distressed. One officer is heard saying, "No altere el orden, se está trabajando." (Don't disrupt the order, we are working). The operation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the Dominican Republic in managing its borders and addressing irregular migration. The Chinese store owner's arrest highlights the potential for resistance and conflict during such operations. While the video itself is brief, it offers a glimpse into the complexities of immigration enforcement and its human impact.