U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Dominican President Luis Abinader on Friday, May 2, 2025. The spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Tammy Bruce, released the information in a statement published on the institution’s website. “Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader. The two leaders reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Dominican partnership and their continued collaboration on regional challenges, notably the fight against illegal immigration,” the statement reads.

This exchange between the two officials took place on the same day as immigration raids carried out by Dominican immigration agents and soldiers at businesses employing Haitians. Widely circulated images online show Haitian nationals being apprehended and handcuffed by Dominican agents, in front of shocked Dominican colleagues. Those arrested were then directed to Dominican Immigration trucks. A witness described the day as one of great panic for the Haitian community living in the Dominican Republic.