Rumors have spread online claiming the Dominican Republic agreed to take in people deported from the US who are not Dominican citizens. These are called third-country nationals. As of May 13, 2026, no official confirmation supports this claim from either the US or Dominican governments.
No Confirmed Agreement Exists
Government statements from both countries show no deal for the Dominican Republic to accept third-country nationals deported by the US. Press releases and formal notices are absent. Instead, Dominican actions focus on enforcing immigration rules inside its own borders.
The Dirección General de Migración (DGM) handles these efforts. Their work targets foreigners already in the country without proper status. This differs from a program where the Dominican Republic would receive deportees directly from the US.
Recent Enforcement Operations in the Dominican Republic
Dominican officials have ramped up checks within the country. In one operation across three regions, they detained 1,579 foreigners in irregular status. Of those, 1,277 were deported.
Another effort during Holy Week from April 2 to 5, 2026, led to 2,311 detentions and 2,260 deportations. These sweeps happened at borders, checkpoints, and inside communities. They aim to remove people found without legal permission to stay.
US Embassy Warning for Travelers
The US Embassy in Santo Domingo issued an alert for Americans. It notes tougher document checks at borders and checkpoints. Travelers may face delays or short detentions.
The embassy advises carrying passports at all times. For help, call (809) 567-7775 or contact the Defensor del Pueblo at (809) 381-7777. This guidance covers local enforcement, not any US-Dominican deportation deal.
US Deportation Efforts Elsewhere
The US has sent third-country nationals to 21 other countries. As of May 5, 2026, over 17,500 people were deported under this push. Destinations include Cameroon and Costa Rica.
The Department of Homeland Security also sent notices to about 500,000 people from the CHNV parole program. This covers citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Groups like Human Rights Watch track deals with African nations, but not the Dominican Republic.
Why the Confusion?
Mix-ups come from similar stories. The Commonwealth of Dominica, a different island nation, has talk of a tentative asylum deal. A Dominican TV video mentioned “temporary entry of foreigners,” but it did not link to US deportees.
Online claims often blur these details. Domestic sweeps in the Dominican Republic get mixed with US third-country plans. Official sources like DGM at migracion.gob.do and the US Embassy email keep the facts clear.
Conclusion
The Dominican Republic focuses on its own immigration enforcement, not accepting third-country nationals from US deportations. Travelers should prepare for stricter checks on the ground. Check official sites for updates, as no agreement exists as of May 13, 2026.
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