Dominican lawmaker's Creole school bill sparks fierce anti-Haitian backlash

In early September 2026, Deputy Julio César Beltré put forward legislation mandating Haitian Creole courses in every Dominican public school, citing daily language needs near the border. The initiative quickly met fierce resistance, as many Dominicans linked it to historic occupation by Haiti and warned it could lead to unwanted island unification. President Luis Abinader, a member of the ruling Partido Revolucionario Moderno, said he does not support the bill.

Nonetheless, a segment of the population, including host Jonatan Familia and the national teachers union’s public relations secretary, expressed approval, emphasizing practical benefits. The controversy revives long-standing anti-Haitian narratives that portray immigration as a threat, despite Creole’s deep presence in the country and existing informal language programs. While the bill is unlikely to pass, it has sparked a broader conversation about language policy and integration of the sizable Haitian diaspora.