On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, during a UN Security Council session, Haiti and the Dominican Republic clashed again over mass deportations of irregular Haitian migrants.

Haiti’s Ambassador to the UN, Antonio Rodrigue, expressed deep concern, stating, “We deplore the mass deportations by the Dominican Republic. While we recognize the country’s right to manage its borders, this must align with international human rights standards. These deportations violate both fundamental rights and the 1999 Protocol of Understanding between our nations. We call on the international community to intervene to stop these violations, which hinder peaceful relations.” In response, Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by irregular migration and organized crime in Haiti. He noted, “We currently have 147,000 Haitian students in our schools, and 16% of our health budget is dedicated to Haitians. There are limits! Stopping deportations would open the border to more irregular migration, and we cannot accept that.”