<p><strong>The General Directorate of Migration (DGM)</strong>, the Dominican Republic’s immigration enforcement agency, said it detained 1,290 foreign nationals in an irregular migration status and deported another 983 people during coordinated operations carried out across the country on Saturday.</p> <p>The agency said enforcement efforts began at 4:00 a.m. and involved migration officers working alongside members of the Dominican Armed Forces and the National Police. One of the largest operations took place in <strong>Santiago de los Caballeros</strong>, the country’s second-largest city, where authorities increased their presence in the downtown area as well as the sectors of Avenida Valerio, Las Canelas, Navarrete and Cienfuegos in Santiago Oeste.</p> <h2>Operations Expanded to Multiple Provinces</h2> <p>At the same time, migration authorities conducted operations in the Greater Santo Domingo area, including Villa Mella, Villa Duarte and Manoguayabo. According to the DGM, officials were investigating the presence of undocumented Haitian nationals working at public transportation hubs serving shared taxis and motorcycle taxis.</p> <p>In the provinces of <strong>La Vega</strong> and <strong>Espaillat</strong>, authorities also inspected nightlife venues and entertainment establishments that had been identified through intelligence operations as locations frequently visited or managed by individuals with irregular immigration status.</p> <h2>Most Detentions Made by Migration Agents</h2> <p>Official figures indicate that 1,056 of those detained—approximately 82% of the total—were apprehended directly by DGM operational units. The remaining 234 individuals, representing 18%, were transferred to migration authorities by the <strong>Dominican Republic Army (ERD)</strong>, the <strong>Specialized Border Security Corps (CESFRONT)</strong>, and the National Police.</p> <p>The provinces reporting the highest number of detentions included Santo Domingo with 119 cases, La Altagracia with 94, Dajabón with 93, Pedernales and San Pedro de Macorís with 84 each, and Elías Piña with 82. Together, these provinces accounted for 556 detentions, or 52.48% of those carried out by the agency’s Rapid Response Units.</p> <h2>Focus on Border Areas and High-Mobility Zones</h2> <p>The DGM said it continues to maintain a permanent operational presence in border regions, major tourist destinations and other areas with high population mobility as part of its strategy to strengthen immigration controls and enforce the country’s migration laws.</p> <p>The agency stated that these operations form part of its ongoing efforts to identify individuals without legal immigration status and process them in accordance with the Dominican Republic’s immigration regulations.</p>
