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Dominican Republic Reports More Than 704,000 Deportations in 22 Months
The Dominican Republic's General Directorate of Migration says it has deported more than 704,000 foreign nationals living in the country without legal status over the past 22 months, while expanding its operational capacity with hundreds of new migration enforcement agents.
The General Directorate of Migration (DGM) has deported 704,142 foreign nationals in an irregular migratory situation during the past 22 months, according to the agency’s director, Luis Rafael Lee Ballester. The figure was announced during the graduation ceremony of 162 new migration enforcement agents, an event led by President Luis Abinader.
Lee Ballester said the increase in deportations follows a broad restructuring of the institution that began after he took office in October 2024. At that time, the DGM had 302 agents, with only 235 participating in migration enforcement operations. The agency now has 1,388 personnel, including 1,272 assigned directly to field operations and 116 working in intelligence, investigations, internal affairs, and criminal case prosecution.
Expanded Recruitment and Training
The DGM chief said the agency has overhauled its recruitment process by introducing stricter screening standards for new personnel. Applicants undergo background checks, verification of academic credentials, physical, psychological, and medical evaluations, psychometric testing, and must have completed high school before entering the selection process.
Candidates who pass the initial phase participate in a panel interview conducted by officials from the agency’s Human Resources, Intelligence, Migration Control, and Military Coordination departments. The evaluation focuses on integrity, conduct, intellectual ability, and suitability for operational duties.
Training is designed to improve physical readiness while preparing officers to enforce immigration laws in accordance with operational protocols that emphasize due process, respect for human rights, and the dignity of individuals.
Investment in Technology and Border Control
Lee Ballester also highlighted investments in planning, intelligence, and technology aimed at strengthening migration management. According to the DGM, the institution oversees immigration control at nine airports, 16 commercial ports, eight cruise ports, four marinas, and four official border crossings. More than 10.3 million travelers passed through these entry and exit points during the first half of the year.
As part of its modernization efforts, the agency operates a centralized Command and Control Center that monitors passenger movements, immigration alerts, travel restrictions, and operational developments. The platform is integrated with a nationwide video surveillance system covering airports, seaports, and border checkpoints.
New Agents Assigned to Northern Provinces
The latest graduating class consists of 162 recruits from provinces across the Cibao region, including Santiago, La Vega, Duarte, Puerto Plata, Montecristi, Dajabón, Samaná, Espaillat, Hermanas Mirabal, Monseñor Nouel, Sánchez Ramírez, María Trinidad Sánchez, Santiago Rodríguez, and Valverde. They will be deployed to serve in those same areas.
Lee Ballester credited the expansion of the migration authority’s operational capacity to the support of President Abinader and the increased budget allocated to strengthen national security and immigration enforcement. The graduation ceremony was attended by Vice President Raquel Peña, senior military and police officials, regional authorities, and members of the national government.
