UN warns of rising deportations of Haitian mothers and newborns from Dominican Republic

[Judi Lynn]

24 April 2025

The UN has raised concern over a growing number of vulnerable Haitians – particularly pregnant women, new mothers, and infants – being deported from the Dominican Republic.
According to the UN migration agency, IOM, recent weeks have seen an increase in the deportation of women, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as children and newborn babies.

The agency has emphasised the heightened risks these groups face being returned to Haiti, where access to basic services remains severely limited.

On Tuesday alone, IOM staff at the Belladère border crossing in Haiti received 416 deportees, including 11 pregnant women and 16 women who are still breastfeeding.

Meeting the needs
“While IOM teams are not present during the deportation process itself, their efforts focus on the needs of deportees upon arrival, many of whom arrive in precarious and highly vulnerable conditions, often without any resources,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, speaking in New York.

More:
https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2025/04/105632/un-warns-rising-deportations-haitian-mothers-and-newborns-dominican