Dominican Republic authorities are moving to tie foreign worker permits to specific job sectors, a policy shift aimed at curbing human trafficking and irregular migration. Pilot Brigadier General Juan Carlos Vicente Pérez, director of Migration Intelligence, announced 2025/10/14 that the government has submitted 189 cases to the Dominican justice system related to trafficking and human trafficking, involving both Dominican and foreign nationals.
The new approach seeks to formalize the labor market for foreigners and disrupt criminal networks exploiting vulnerable migrants. It addresses a persistent problem concentrated along the Dominican-Haitian border, where collaborative efforts facilitate the illegal transport of people into Dominican territory. The initiative will designate permitted areas and labor sectors directly on foreign residence permits, enhancing oversight and accountability.
General Pérez emphasized the consistent nature of these criminal activities, stating, “It is a dynamic that occurs daily. It is not that it occurs sporadically.” The 189 cases currently with the Dominican justice system represent a significant effort to prosecute those involved in these crimes. The policy change aims to prevent future exploitation by clearly defining the scope of legal employment for foreign residents.
