Santo Domingo , Dominican Republic ( CNN ) -- A proposed regulation in the Dominican Republic could stop illegal immigrants from studying in the nation 's public schools . Immigration officials say requiring students to have valid identification documents is part of the nation 's sovereign right . But immigrant advocates have criticized the move , which is likely to affect a large number of immigrants from neighboring Haiti . `` We recognize that there is a human drama , a social drama impacting the Dominican Republic in terms of migration that particularly affects the case of our Haitian neighbors . And obviously Dominican society needs to approach it responsibly , '' said Jose Ricardo Taveras , the Dominican Republic 's general director of migration . After a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti in January 2010 , more than 200,000 displaced Haitians crossed the border , according to the International Organization for Migration . Since then , many have returned to Haiti . But historic tensions between the neighboring nations remain . There are about 54,000 foreign children studying in the country 's schools , nearly half of whom are undocumented , according to government estimates . Children born in the Dominican Republic to illegal immigrant parents are not Dominican citizens , according to the country 's constitution . It was unclear when the proposed regulation , which was included in a draft plan presented to the Dominican Republic 's president on Wednesday , would go into effect . The president will have the final say on whether -- and when -- to implement regulations presented by immigration officials . The proposed measures also would require residency permits for foreigners and impose fines on businesses that hire illegal immigrants . 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 . But immigrant advocacy organizations have said the government should reconsider its approach . `` We need to design a migration policy that conforms with the rule of law and conforms with the focus on human rights , which is what we are proposing , '' said Roque Feliz , deputy director of Centro Bono , a Jesuit nonprofit . In a statement Wednesday , the organization criticized immigration officials . `` We are aware that modern states are sovereign and define their migration policies , but ... no law nor any regulation can infringe on rights guaranteed in the constitution , '' the statement said . Taveras has defended the new measures , saying authorities are not violating human rights or aiming to deprive children of education . `` To enroll a Dominican child in a school , it is necessary to present a birth certificate , so it is the same for foreigners . We are not trying to violate , but rather regulate , '' he told CNN affiliate Telesistema . Dominican authorities have historically shied away from enforcing immigration laws , he said , noting that the country 's immigration problems have long been complex and controversial . In recent years , immigration from Haiti has remained high , he told Telesistema , because the international community has not done enough to help Haiti after the 2010 earthquake . The Dominican Republic was the first country to give aid to Haiti in the earthquake 's aftermath , sending food , medicine and rescue crews . But historically , a much wider gap in relations has existed between Haiti and the Dominican Republic since colonial times . Dominicans recall how they were under Haitian rule for a period in the mid-1800s , and how they repeatedly fought Haitian aggressions . Today , Haitians provide cheap labor in the Dominican Republic , a trend that has caused resentment on both sides , not unlike the illegal immigration debate in the United States . The Dominican Republic gained its independence from Haiti in 1844 , after Haiti occupied it . By the early 20th century , Haitians had become a source of cheap labor in the neighboring country . Racism and security concerns resulted in a massacre in 1937 , when Dominican leader Rafael Trujillo ordered the execution of Haitians living near the border between the countries , resulting in the killing of 20,000 to 30,000 Haitians , historians say . Taveras told Telesistema it was time for his country to do more to enforce immigration laws . `` We have to push this , '' he said . CNN 's Mariano Castillo and Catherine E. Shoichet contributed to this report .
Dominican officials say immigration regulations are the country 's sovereign right . Immigrant advocates have criticized the move . It is likely to affect a large number of immigrants from neighboring Haiti . `` We are not trying to violate ( rights ) , but rather regulate , '' one official says .