Overview:
A part of the “Did You Know?” Sequence, this piece highlights the work of Santiago Molina, a Dominican human rights activist, who has turn out to be a trusted protector for Haitian migrants dealing with discrimination, mass expulsions, and abuse. Working throughout a number of cities, he intervenes in arrests, helps households, and calls for justice beneath rising anti-Haitian stress.
FORT-LIBERTÉ— On a latest Might night time within the Dominican Republic, Santiago Molina, a local of La Romana, quietly moved Haitian households into hiding forward of a deliberate anti-Haitian march. On one other day, Molina was seen arranging for buses to return susceptible Haitians safely to their homeland, hoping to spare them the trauma of inhumane deportations.
Molina has been doing this work quietly and relentlessly for years. From dashing households to security late at night time, to confronting Dominican authorities by day, he has lengthy been a lifeline for Haitians in a rustic the place many stay in concern of discrimination, raids, and abuse.
“I used to be born to Dominican dad and mom. I’m in opposition to the abuses that our Haitian neighbors undergo,” Molina instructed The Haitian Occasions.
Molina has emerged as a uncommon and unwavering advocate for the Haitian neighborhood within the advanced and infrequently tense relationship between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A human rights activist, Molina has dedicated his life to defending Haitian migrants dealing with injustice, usually at nice private danger.
Molina’s dedication to Haitians has made many query whether or not he has Haitian household ties. He doesn’t. For him, shared humanity is sufficient.
Santiago Molina’s household roots are deeply Dominican. His mom, Malta Dolores Molina, is a local of La Romana, and his father, Raúl Rolando Reyes, is from the province of Samaná. His id has by no means hindered his solidarity with the Haitian neighborhood. Quite the opposite, it has strengthened his sense of equity and his want to see all people handled with respect and dignity.
“My full Dominican id has by no means been an impediment to my solidarity with the Haitian neighborhood,” he stated.
His journey into activism started after his assembly with and his dedication alongside worldwide human rights chief Dr. Genaro Rincón Mieces. This affect was undoubtedly decisive within the course of his life
“I nonetheless have many individuals beneath my care, and we proceed to battle to assist them.”
Santiago Molina, Haitian Rights activist within the Dominican Republic.
Through the years, Molina studied English and cinema and educated as a non-public investigator—expertise he now makes use of in his organizing. He additionally labored as a carpenter and cabinetmaker, grounding him in a sensible, problem-solving strategy to justice.
Molina’s work has come at a steep value. He was compelled to desert his college research after receiving threats from Dominican authorities who opposed his protection of Haitians.
“I ended my college research due to my place for the Haitians,” he stated. “My complete household suffered assaults from anti-Haitians within the Dominican Republic.”
He finally despatched his kids to stay in the US for his or her security.
“I used to be compelled to ship the kids to the US,” he added. “A Dominican who fights for the Haitians mustn’t stay together with his kids.”
In late April, mass expulsions of Haitian migrant girls—some in labor, pregnant, or with newborns, escalated beneath new immigration insurance policies beneath Dominican President Luis Abinader.
A hospital directive by the DR authorities now requires ID, proof of deal with, and work documentation earlier than remedy, leaving many undocumented migrants with out entry to primary care. In cities like Fruisa and Dajabón, households have been faraway from properties, shelters, and hospitals, loaded onto vehicles, and deported.
From Punta Cana to Bávaro to Hoyo de Friusa, Molina recurrently steps in when Haitians are detained, threatened, or mistreated. He companions immediately with members of the Haitian neighborhood, together with the Haitian Clandestine Committee, to forestall deportations and defend these with out authorized standing. His work with a clandestine group displays the complexity of the surroundings he operates in, the place taking public motion is commonly dangerous—and at occasions, inconceivable.
Serving to Haitian youth launch the Bávaro Soccer Affiliation is one among his extra artistic options. For Molina, sports activities is usually a type of empowerment and resistance.
“He offers his all and every thing he has for the well-being of Haitians within the Dominican Republic,” stated Delva Leila Maurice, a Haitian girl deported in 2024 who now lives in Cap-Haïtien with one among her six kids.
Molina can also be fast to answer injustice on the job. One main battle has been in opposition to Dominican employers who name immigration officers to arrest Haitian employees after utilizing their labor. It’s a tactic used to keep away from paying them.
“The battle in opposition to financial exploitation is simply as necessary,” Molina says.
He’s additionally pressured contractors to offer secure transportation for Haitian employees, a lot of whom journey in harmful situations to job websites.
“If contractors in La Romana now not name the police after they need to pay Haitians for his or her work, it’s because of Molina,” says Richard Sonel, a Haitian migrant within the DR.
Worry is a part of on a regular basis life for a lot of Haitian migrants—whether or not it’s concern of being detained, harassed, or focused after work or on public transportation. Molina has turn out to be somebody individuals name not only for authorized assist, however for security and dignity.
“When Haitian employees are made to journey in unhealthy situations like cattle, Molina defends them. When Haitian employees have accidents of their automobiles, he helps them,” says Rony Saint Dique.
In March, following protests and violence focusing on Haitians in a number of cities, Molina publicly demanded that the Haitian consulate present buses to assist migrants return house voluntarily.
“Due to the threats that Haitians face, I met with the Haitian consulate in Bávaro and Higüey to place two buses on the disposal of Haitians who need to return to their nation,” Molina says.
Even in essentially the most sophisticated circumstances—like Haitians charged of crimes—Molina pushes for moral prosecution.
“When Dominicans accuse younger Haitians of being rapists, he ensures that the proceedings are revered as if it have been a Dominican,” Delva Leila stated.
By each motion, from courtroom defenses to emergency organizing, Molina provides one thing uncommon within the Dominican Republic: constant, seen, unapologetic assist for the Haitian neighborhood.
“He’s an instance of dedication and braveness within the battle for human rights,” Rony Saint Dique stated.
“Molina is a mirror of society; many younger undocumented migrants take into account him a father determine,” Maurice stated.
Editor’s Word: “Did You Know” is a THT sequence rooted in Haitian heritage and boundless curiosity, championed by the late Haitian music journalist and Haitian Occasions columnist Ralph Delly.