The Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees (GARR) has raised an alarm regarding the deteriorating living conditions of Haitian migrants and a sharp rise in deportations. During a press conference held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the human rights organization reported that 68,223 Haitian nationals were deported or repatriated in the first quarter of 2026, a significant increase from the 55,595 recorded during the same period in 2025.
The vast majority of these expulsions—over 21,000 in March alone—originate from the Dominican Republic, though cases were also noted from the United States, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. GARR highlighted that these deportations often ignore humanitarian standards, affecting vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors, disabled individuals, and pregnant or postpartum women. Furthermore, the organization criticized the non-compliance with bilateral agreements regarding deportation schedules and the mistreatment of detainees.
According to GARR, 85% of migrants cite economic hardship as their primary reason for leaving, while 6% flee due to insecurity. This crisis is exacerbated by stricter immigration policies in host countries, such as Canada’s new asylum laws and work permit freezes in the Turks and Caicos. GARR is calling on the Haitian government to address the root causes of forced migration and urged regional human rights bodies to advocate for the fair treatment of Haitian nationals abroad.
