BOGOTA, Colombia

The Dominican Republic's president on Thursday dismissed criticism from Amnesty International regarding alleged racist immigration policies in the country, urging the organization to instead focus on the human rights situation in Haiti.

"I urge Amnesty International to go work in Haiti, to address the human rights situation in Haiti. They should not abandon Haiti, and I ask the international community to do likewise,” Luis Abinader told reporters during a visit to Dajabon along the Haitian border.

“Our responsibility, and my responsibility, is to defend the Dominican Republic,” he added.

His remarks followed Amnesty’s demand Wednesday for an immediate halt to the mass expulsion of Haitians from the Dominican Republic.

The human rights organization has condemned the Abinader administration's recent health protocol, asserting that it infringes upon the right to health and dehumanizes undocumented migrants by deterring them from seeking medical care and jeopardizing their lives.

The protocol mandates that migrants present identification, a work certificate and proof of residence to access medical services in public hospitals. It further stipulates that individuals with irregular immigration status will be deported after receiving medical treatment.

"The implementation of a system that exposes migrants to deportation after receiving medical care not only violates the right to health, but also dehumanizes undocumented migrants and will surely discourage them from seeking hospital care," said Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International.

Abinader instructed border troops to serve as "the eyes of the nation" and underscored the critical importance of their commitment to safeguarding the country’s border with Haiti. He directed military personnel to escalate daily efforts to ensure security and reinforce border protection.

The president has explained that as part of the 15 measures implemented in response to the specific migration situation and the ongoing crisis in Haiti, the bidding process for the construction of an additional 13 kilometers (8 miles) of perimeter fence will commence within three months to bolster the country's defenses.

He noted that the citizens of Dajabon are requesting an extension of the wall that separates the two nations due to its positive impact, particularly on security, citing an 80% reduction in cattle theft and other types of crime.