A 2013 ruling by the Dominican Republic’s top court rendered hundreds of thousands of Dominican Haitians in the country effectively stateless by revoking their citizenship. After an outcry from the international community, the Dominican government passed a law allowing residents a pathway to naturalization. The deadline for those registering for naturalization at government bureaus around the country was Wednesday, June 17.

VICE News traveled to Batey Naranjo, a small rural village on the outskirts of Santo Domingo that is primarily populated by Haitians or Dominican Haitians, and spoke to residents about their confusion and concerns as to the ramifications of the naturalization deadline.

Watch “Deadline for Citizenship (Dispatch 1)” –

Watch VICE News’ Raw Coverage from the Dominican Republic –

Dominican Republic Gives Haitians Until Midnight to Register or Face Deportation –

In Photos: Anger Flares Over Tonight’s Deportation Deadline in the Dominican Republic –

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