Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Historic, economic, and political factors have established situational contexts that have and continue to incite virulent anti-Haitian sentiment in the Dominican Republic. These foundational elements continue to manifest in the form of the humanitarian crisis that is the ongoing expulsion of Dominicans of Haitian descent. Statistics indicate that as of December 2015 as many as 200,000 Dominicans of Haitian descent have an uncertain citizenship status. Many of these individuals were born in or have lived in the Dominican Republic for generations. Furthermore, a vast number of them only speak Spanish and have never lived in Haiti. They are undeniably, culturally bound to the Dominican Republic. However, many Dominicans of Haitian descent have already been deported back to Haiti - those that remain are undergoing a complicated, expensive naturalization process. Their tenuous status makes it impossible to conduct lives with any semblance of normalcy. Adults cannot work legally, and children cannot attend school. Dominicans of Haitian descent have been rendered stateless, non-persons. This discussion explores the root causes of these social upheavals and suggested social justice actions to halt them.