EXCLUSIVE: Latest on DR's Migrant Crackdown

In this edition of the Grubernation Weekly Newsletter:

• Friusa Crackdown and What It Means for Investors in DR

• Trump’s Tariffs Just Put the Dominican Republic on the Map

• Dominican Republic Mass Deportations Will SHAKE Real Estate Prices

Colchones Naco is a DR owned mattress company making mattresses right here in Santiago! They sell Sealy, Simmons, Serta and their own Naco Royal line. They also have stores in Santiago, Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. My family sleeps on their mattresses every night! If you need a mattress for your new condo, just mention code GRUBER2025 and get 2 free pillows with your mattress purchase (online or in store). Check their site for DEEP discounts as well.

Friusa Crackdown: What It Means for the Dominican Republic — and for You

What’s happening in Friusa right now is intense. Buses full of people. Bulldozers flattening homes. And rumors flying everywhere. Lots of feelings all around.

But here’s what’s actually going on—based on government reports, international alerts, and three exclusive videos circulating locall.

This newsletter isn’t meant to shock you. It’s not meant to offer an opinion on the conflict. It’s meant to inform you in as straight a newsworthy way as possible. My opinions will be on the market impactd for investors. If you live here, invest here, or dream of doing either—this is relevant info.

Let’s break it down into 7 sections.

1. What Triggered the Crackdown

On March 30, nationalist-led protests erupted in Friusa, demanding mass deportations of undocumented migrants—mostly Haitians. With a second protest planned for April 27, pressure on the Dominican government has only grown.

Then came a bigger push: the Dominican Foreign Minister formally warned the UN that Haitian gangs are moving toward the border, raising fears of violent spillover.

This combination of local protest and global security concern has driven immediate action:

• More troops on the border (11,000 now!)

• Sweeping immigration raids in areas like Friusa

• Entire informal settlements demolished

It’s no longer policy—it’s boots-on-the-ground execution.

2. The Numbers Tell the Story

Since October:

• 130 immigration operations in Friusa and Verón

• 9,405 people detained and repatriated

Just last week:

• 1,675 detained

• 1,221 repatriated

• 110 voluntary returns

• 111 detained in Friusa alone in the most recent sweep

This is no longer sporadic—it’s systemic.

3. What My Videos Show (Exclusive Footage)

Here’s what’s happening. For many it may be heartbreaking, for many it may feel justified. No one is wrong. If you feel the country’s sovereignty is at risk you should know the actions your government is taking to honor that. If you feel differently on the humanitarian side, you should be just as aware. If you’re like me - and you believe BOTH can be true (you can applaud a country protecting its citizens from the struggles of illegal migration AND you can send your heart out to those same migrants) then the videos are relevant as well.

• Video 1 – “Look What’s Happening”

• Video 2 – Bulldozer

• Video 3 – Impacted Area

You can sit on both sides of the issue. I hope this community understands that as you read through this week’s newsletter.

4. Corruption, Loopholes & the Return Cycle

Here’s what many don’t see:

• Deportees often return through bribery, paying up to RD$12,000 (~$200) to re-enter

• This happens with help from taxi drivers and even some officials

• The Dominican government has prosecuted 12 individuals, including officials, for bribes and trafficking just last month

So yes, the government is cracking down—but it’s also trying to clean house.

5. What’s New — And Why It Matters

The difference now? They’re not just arresting people. They’re leveling neighborhoods.

That has huge ripple effects—not just socially, but economically.

Perhaps this has happened before - some of you may be privvy to that and if so, let me know. But this is new for me in my time connected to and living in DR (leveling communities that is).

6. Real Estate Insight: The Opportunity Hidden in Disruption

If you're an investor, here's what you need to know:

• The crackdown is removing a significant portion of the low-cost labor force

• That means higher construction costs and slower project timelines moving forward

• But demand? Still strong. International buyers don’t see Friusa—they see beaches, palm trees, and affordable Caribbean real estate

Here’s why:

In places like the UAE, when they limited access to cheap foreign labor, developers went upmarket—building higher-end, luxury products in places like Dubai. As a result, pricing across the entire market rose.

We’re not there yet in the DR—but if this enforcement holds, we could be heading in that direction.

7. What to Do Now

You can support the Dominican Republic’s right to control immigration and feel for the people who are being sent back.

You can understand that no one has the right to illegally cross borders and recognize that if you were born into chaos and violence, you'd probably try too.

This is about holding two truths:

• The DR is acting decisively—and in many ways, necessarily

• But human stories are playing out in the background, and they matter too

Final Takeaway: Be Informed. Be Smart. Be Ready.

This moment feels huge on the ground. But the rest of the world?
They don’t know the name Friusa. They know the name Punta Cana. They see turquoise water and white sand.

That disconnect creates opportunity.

If you’re thoughtful, strategic, and long-term focused—this might be your window.

Less supply. More attention. Rising quality.
And a chance to buy in before pricing shifts up-market.

Trump’s Tariffs Just Put Dominican Republic on the Map

And yep… I called it 😁

If you’ve been watching my stuff, you know I’ve been saying this for a while: the Dominican Republic is about to become a major winner in the global supply chain shuffle. Now it’s happening — and one of the biggest signs yet just dropped.

World Emblem, the largest patch manufacturer on the planet, is moving production from China to Santiago. They supply everyone from Levi’s to Cintas, and they crank out over 250 million patches a year. That’s not small-time. That’s a signal.

Why are they doing it? Tariffs. Trump slapped a 10% import tariff on the DR recently, and yet... companies are still coming here. Why? Because the real play isn’t about bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. — it’s about getting it out of China. And guess who’s perfectly positioned? We are.

Pair that with a new U.S.-India trade deal, and it becomes obvious. This isn’t just about “America First.” This is about de-risking from China. And in that plan, the DR plays a key role — stable, affordable, close to the U.S., and part of a free trade agreement (CAFTA-DR). World Emblem isn’t the last company that’ll make this move — it’s just the first domino.

Many are going to read the headline and get all nutty at the mere mention of ‘Trump’.

Benefiting DR was NOT his intention (for those who take headlines too literally).

But the POLICY prompted the action - that’s a FACT. Straight and without emotion.

Now, I’m not saying I have a crystal ball… but I did say this was coming. So if you’ve got real estate here already, or you’re thinking about investing, pay attention. The world’s starting to shift — and the DR isn’t just along for the ride. We might be the vehicle.

Dominican Republic Mass Deportations Will SHAKE Real Estate Prices

The first part of this newsletter was intense!

For many, it may be easier to digest the impact on real estate in video form.

Well - here you go!

Thanks for following along on this journey and for the 35,000 subscriber milestone on YouTube! Until next week…