The government's crackdown is a response to an overarching strategy, previously announced, aimed at deporting approximately 10,000 undocumented migrants weekly as a means of curbing illegal immigration. The immigration office asserted that those detained were treated with dignity while their biometric information was collected at a designated center. However, witnesses express deep concerns regarding the potential ramifications for pregnant women seeking necessary medical care. "If a woman gave birth today, they can't take her today, because they don't know what will happen," cautioned a friend of one detainee, underscoring fears that medical crises could arise during transportation.

Authorities insist that while medical care will be provided, undocumented mothers will be promptly returned to Haiti. This raises significant alarm, particularly as many Haitians engage in perilous border crossings to escape deteriorating conditions. Recent statistics indicated that more than 80,000 people have been deported back to Haiti in the year’s first quarter alone, reflecting the government's intensifying efforts to manage migration flows amidst ongoing regional instability. President Abinader has previously expressed frustration at the international community's perceived neglect towards stabilizing Haiti, which further complicates the humanitarian landscape for those crossing into the Dominican Republic.