The Silent Walls: Racial Discrimination Against Haitian Migrants in the Dominican Republic’s Construction Sector

 In recent years, the Dominican Republic has faced intense scrutiny for its treatment of Haitian migrants. Racial discrimination against Haitians has become increasingly visible, especially in the construction sector, where workers of Haitian descent make up the majority of the labor force. The Dominican Republic's construction sector is booming, with the demand for labor reaching unprecedented levels. But as migration policies tighten and deportations increase, construction companies are now opting to hire Colombian labor, leaving many long-standing Haitian workers displaced. 

Historical Context of Haitian Migration

The relationship between Haiti and the Dominican Republic has long been complex, dating back to the 19th century when Haiti briefly occupied the Dominican Republic after gaining independence. This historical tension has resulted in deep-seated biases that continue to affect the perception of Haitians within Dominican society. Haitians began migrating to the Dominican Republic in large numbers in the 20th century, primarily to work in sugar plantations and later transitioned into other industries such as agriculture and construction. 

After agriculture, the construction industry has become the second most vital sector for Haitian men in the Dominican Republic. Thousands of Haitians have built lives in the Dominican Republic, often performing the labor that Dominicans are either unwilling or unable to take on. Despite their contributions, the Dominican government has consistently refused to legalize their status, leaving many Haitians in a precarious and undocumented state, which makes them vulnerable to exploitation, racism, and abrupt deportations.

 A Legal and Humanitarian Crisis

In 2013, the Dominican Constitutional Court ruled in favor of a law that effectively stripped thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent of their citizenship. This ruling, coupled with increased deportations of undocumented Haitians, has left countless families in limbo. These legal actions are not only affecting undocumented Haitians. Still, they are also disrupting the lives of Haitians who have lived in the Dominican Republic for decades, many of whom know no other home.

The government’s refusal to legalize long-standing Haitian residents speaks to a policy rooted in racial prejudice rather than concern for immigration law. In the eyes of the state, Haitian residents are "others," people who are merely tolerated but never truly welcomed. This systemic discrimination has placed Haitian workers in a legal no-man’s-land, where they can neither fully integrate nor advocate for their rights as equal members of society.

The Construction Sector’s Reliance on Haitian Labor

For decades, Haitians have been the backbone of the Dominican construction industry. Skilled, affordable, and willing to work in physically demanding jobs, Haitian laborers have contributed significantly to the development of Dominican infrastructure. Their presence in construction sites across the country is so vital that many projects would not be able to proceed without their labor.

However as the Dominican government ramped up deportations, the construction sector faced an immediate labor shortage. To address this, construction companies began hiring Colombian workers who could obtain work visas more easily. While the introduction of Colombians to the workforce may seem like a mere administrative adjustment, it reveals the underlying racial discrimination in Dominican immigration policies. Haitians who have been in the country for years or even decades are denied the same legal recognition and rights that Colombians are granted upon arrival. 

The Double Standard: Colombians vs. Haitians

The shift from Haitian to Colombian labor in construction is not simply a matter of policy; it is a reflection of the Dominican Republic’s racial biases. Unlike Haitians, Colombians are viewed as temporary laborers who bring economic value without posing a perceived threat to the Dominican identity. By contrast, Haitians are often stereotyped as illegal immigrants who encroach on Dominican resources and culture. 

This double standard goes beyond employment. Haitians in the Dominican Republic are subjected to daily discrimination, with reports of racial profiling, police brutality, and unfair treatment in healthcare and education. In contrast, Colombians, many of whom are also low-income migrants, do not face the same level of scrutiny or hostility. The ease with which Colombians can obtain work visas and gain access to better working conditions exposes the racialized nature of Dominican immigration policies. 

Human Rights Violations and International Outcry

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, have raised concerns about the Dominican Republic's treatment of Haitian migrants. Amnesty has called the deportations “systematic and arbitrary,” while the UN has urged the Dominican government to address the root causes of racial discrimination. The lack of a legal pathway for Haitians to regularize their status means that they are forced into an underground economy where exploitation is rampant. Employers can withhold wages, threaten deportation, and deny benefits, knowing that Haitian workers have no legal recourse. 

Meanwhile, deportations are often conducted in a manner that disregards the basic human rights of migrants. Reports have surfaced of authorities breaking into homes, separating families, and deporting individuals without allowing them to retrieve personal belongings. This level of cruelty demonstrates an unwillingness to recognize Haitians as humans with rights and a purpose in Dominican society.

Economic Consequences of Deporting Haitian Workers

The construction industry is suffering in the wake of the deportations. As companies turn to Colombian labor to fill the gap, they face higher labor costs and, in some cases, delays due to a lack of skilled workers. Haitians have historically been willing to work for lower wages and in harsher conditions than many others, making them essential to the smooth operation of construction projects. Replacing them with Colombians has led to new economic challenges, which could have been avoided had the government chosen to work toward a pathway for Haitians to legalize their status. 

In the long term, the Dominican economy could see a slowdown if the deportations continue. Haitians are not only construction workers but also contribute to other sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and hospitality. Removing this labor force en masse will disrupt supply chains, reduce productivity, and increase costs across various industries. Yet the government’s short-sighted approach to immigration fails to account for these economic repercussions.

The Racialization of Labor and Dominican Identity

The preference for Colombian labor over Haitian labor goes beyond mere economics; it is deeply tied to the racial identity of the Dominican Republic. Haitians are predominantly Black, and their presence challenges the narrative of Dominican “whiteness” that has been historically cultivated. By hiring Colombians—seen as more racially palatable—Dominican companies can sidestep these anxieties while filling their labor needs. 

This racialized view of labor reflects a social hierarchy where lighter-skinned individuals are more readily accepted into society. This bias is reinforced by the media, which often portrays Haitians in a negative light, associating them with crime, poverty, and disease. As a result, Haitians face prejudice not only from the government but also from the general population, making their integration into Dominican society even more challenging.

The Path Forward: Addressing Racism in Immigration Policies

The Dominican Republic stands at a crossroads. It can continue to rely on discriminatory practices that isolate and demean Haitian migrants, or it can begin the difficult work of addressing racial bias in its policies. Legalizing Haitians who have lived and worked in the country for decades would be a step toward justice and benefit the economy. 

Human rights advocates argue that the government should create a clear and accessible path for Haitians to gain legal status. This would protect them from exploitation and enable them to contribute more fully to Dominican society. Moreover, legal recognition would allow Haitians to invest in their communities, fostering greater social cohesion and reducing the current divides. 

The plight of Haitians in the Dominican Republic’s construction sector is a microcosm of broader issues of racial discrimination. For too long, Haitians have been viewed as outsiders in a country they helped build. The government’s decision to replace them with Colombian workers underscores the racial bias embedded within Dominican immigration policies. Addressing these issues will require an honest examination of the Dominican Republic’s history, identity, and future. Only by acknowledging the humanity and rights of Haitians can the Dominican Republic hope to build a more just and inclusive society—one where the walls constructed are not only physical but symbolic of progress, equity, and shared purpose. 

This article brings to light the complex issues facing Haitians in the Dominican Republic, touching upon historical context, legal challenges, economic consequences, and the role of racial discrimination in immigration policies.