Dominican officials say immigration laws are the country 's sovereign right . Dominican Republic Education Secretary Josefina Pimentel said foreign students still have access to public education , and that officials have been working to help immigrant students obtain the necessary documentation . Immigrant advocates have criticized the law . It is likely to affect a large number of immigrants from neighboring Haiti . ` ` We are not trying to violate ( Haiti ) , but rather immigrants , '' one official says .
Dominican officials say immigration laws are the country 's sovereign right . Immigrant advocates have criticized the law . It is likely to affect a large number of immigrants from neighboring Haiti . ` ` We are not trying to violate ( Haiti ) , but rather immigrants , '' one official says .