Situation of Haitians in the Dominican Republic: Ex-PM Lapin Makes Recommendations
By Gedeon Delva · Port-au-Prince
· 2 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
For some time now, Haitians living in the neighboring country have been in turmoil following the application of Dominican President Luis Abinader's migration policy.
On social media, one can see Dominican migration agents brutalizing compatriots, some even losing their lives. Faced with this situation experienced by Haitians, former Prime Minister Jean Michel Lapin makes certain recommendations to help our compatriots.
In a note published on May 19, 2025, the former head of government under the Jovenel Moïse administration outlined a list of four proposals. Lapin recommends raising the level of diplomatic representation in the Dominican Republic; strengthening border security. The second proposal is the revitalization of diplomatic relations; the revitalization of relations with organized groups of Haitian communities in the Dominican Republic; as a third proposal, the administrative reorganization of customs and immigration in border areas; and finally, the revitalization of Haitian identification programs in the Dominican Republic and the creation of a commission composed of all sectors of society for the purpose of revitalizing binational dialogues.
The former head of government urges authorities to take these measures with skill, realism, and patriotism to achieve a harmonized form of relations between the two countries. He advocates for the consolidation of democracy, business development, the harmonization of migratory movements of the two peoples, and the joint production of tourist and cultural promotion.
In conclusion, Mr. Lapin calls for harmonization and not division among the authorities of the two countries.
« Haitian and Dominican authorities, the time has finally come to bury the hatchet and direct actions towards a real socio-political solution. Let us therefore stop dragging the heavy colonial legacy that opposes us so much in the conduct of political public affairs, in the management of administrative issues, as well as in the management of those of economic scope, in spite of the great sociological and cultural differences. We must achieve a situation of common peace, while each retaining its particularities as a people and a nation,» he concluded.
« Haitian and Dominican authorities, the time has finally come to bury the hatchet and direct actions towards a real socio-political solution. Let us therefore stop dragging the heavy colonial legacy that opposes us so much in the conduct of political public affairs, in the management of administrative issues, as well as in the management of those of economic scope, in spite of the great sociological and cultural differences. We must achieve a situation of common peace, while each retaining its particularities as a people and a nation,» he concluded.
