Dominican Republic defends deportations

Immigration officials in the Dominican Republic are defending their decision to deport Haitian migrants.



An estimated 1,000 Haitians were sent back to their quake-shattered home last week, after the Dominican Republic resumed deportation operations that had been stopped following last year's devastating earthquake.



Immigration Director, Sigfrido Pared, says the government had to resume immigration enforcement to prevent the flow of illegal Haitian migrants and stop the spread of cholera.



He says the country will continue with the deportations despite criticism by human rights groups.