Tell DR: You can't just erase Dominicans of Haitian descent from your country

"No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality." - Article 15, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Dear Tracy, 21-year Liliana is terrified. Soon her government could remove her from her home and send her to Haiti, without her three young children. She was born in the Dominican Republic. She was raised in the Dominican Republic. Yet two years ago the government stripped her and tens of thousands of others of their nationality and now Dominicans of Haitian descent fear expulsion to a country they don't even know... ...Unless human rights activists like you join together and take action to help put a stop to it. Urge Dominican authorities to restore nationality to all Dominicans of Haitian descent and end this crisis once and for all. In 2013, the country's highest court illegally voided the birth certificates of people born to immigrants since 1929. The vast majority of these citizens are of Haitian descent. This shameful and discriminatory act rendered thousands of Dominican-born persons stateless - easy targets for acts of discrimination and violence. "We are extremely worried because authorities continue to deny the existence of statelessness, but it's our reality. Discrimination exists in this country. I can't work and I can't access vital services." - Juan Alberto Antuan Vill, a young man of Haitian descent born in the Dominican Republic The discrimination against Dominicans of Haitian descent must stop. Add your name to our petition to stop the deportations and restore nationality to Dominicans at risk. Amnesty International has uncovered a reality of entrenched discrimination. Dominicans of Haitian descent are constantly denied their identity documents - but without these, many have to leave schools and cannot continue studying. They can only access informal jobs and are stuck in a hopeless circle of poverty. With no documents, many people cannot prove they were born in the Dominican Republic - leaving them vulnerable if migration officials start deporting undocumented migrants from their communities. Despite reassurances from authorities, many Dominicans of Haitian descent continue to fear being forcibly removed from their homes and expelled to a country where they have never lived. We need your help to head off this looming humanitarian crisis. These people have done nothing wrong. Please join in defending their human rights and safety and help bring about an end to this crisis. Your voice can make a difference today. Please act now. In solidarity, Marselha Gonçalves Margerin Advocacy Director for the Americas Amnesty International USA