On a rather quiet Monday, the Trump administration lifted a restriction that had previously banned a major Dominican sugar company tied to President Trump from exporting sugar to the United States. This ban was originally placed due to allegations of forced labor practices within the company.
The action involved U.S. Customs and Border Protection altering a “withhold release order” that was issued in 2022 against Central Romana Corporation. This order restricted the export of raw sugar and sugar-based products to the U.S. The Customs bureau had now marked this order as “inactive” on their website.
Labor rights organizations were not pleased with this development, expressing that Central Romana, known for selling its sugar in the U.S. under the Domino brand, hadn’t made significant improvements to its labor practices. Allie Brudney, a senior staff attorney at Corporate Accountability Lab, noted the lack of substantial change, labeling the decision as disappointing. However, she reaffirmed continued support for worker’s rights advocacy.
An anonymous U.S. official mentioned that the decision to overturn the order didn’t adhere to established protocols. The suggestion was that Central Romana’s powerful ownership influenced the decision, likely made by high-ranking Customs officials.
Hilton Beckham, Public Affairs Assistant Commissioner at Customs and Border Protection, confirmed the order’s revision, attributing it to “documented improvements to labor standards” verified by independent sources. He stated that Central Romana had addressed the initial work-release order’s concerns, emphasizing Customs’ commitment to enforcing U.S. laws against forced labor.
Central Romana expressed satisfaction with the change, having submitted independent audits to U.S. authorities over the past two years, demonstrating their practices. As the largest landholder and private employer in the Dominican Republic, the company is part-owned by the politically influential Fanjul family.
In 2024, the Fanjul Corporation made substantial political donations, including $1 million to Make America Great Again, supporting Mr. Trump, and $413,000 to the Republican National Committee. Smaller contributions were also made to Democratic causes.
For years, Central Romana faced scrutiny from labor rights advocates for allegedly subjecting workers to harsh conditions. The Biden administration’s 2022 import ban followed claims that the company exploited vulnerable workers, withheld wages, forced overtime, and created inhospitable working and living environments.
Reports from civil society detailed further abuses, including forced evictions and inadequate housing conditions. Central Romana defended its track record, claiming investments in enhancing employee living conditions and maintaining industry-leading standards.
Many of the workers at Central Romana, being Haitian migrants, found themselves in precarious situations without citizenship, restricting their employment opportunities and risking deportation. A congressional visit in the summer emphasized some progress in tackling severe issues like child labor and human trafficking, while still acknowledging ongoing abuses.
A 2024 Department of Labor study provided further evidence of persisting abusive practices, noting that 16 out of 25 workers interviewed were victims of forced labor. Following the Central Romana ban, other Dominican sugar farms became primary exporters to the U.S., with signs they may harbor similar labor issues.
In a press briefing, Dominican President Luis Abinader announced the lifting of U.S. restrictions on Central Romana’s sugar exports, describing this as “positive news.” He clarified that the decision was entirely up to the American administration, without Dominican involvement.
As the Dominican Republic’s leading sugar producer, Central Romana contributes roughly 60% of the national output. The Fanjul family, notable for their sugar industry investments and political contributions, acquired the company back in the 1980s.
The Fanjuls, prominent political donors, have supported both Democrats and Republicans, including the Bushes, Clintons, and Marco Rubio during his Senate tenure before taking a role in Mr. Trump’s administration. The family, associated with Florida Crystals Corporation and American Sugar Refining, markets sugar under known brands like Domino and C&H Sugar.
In 2023 and 2024, Central Romana spent over $1.1 million lobbying U.S. officials on labor and migration matters, trying to overturn the forced labor ban from 2022. Alfonso Fanjul, Central Romana’s CEO, petitioned for assistance from Chris Dodd, then a special U.S. Department of State advisor, citing the reputational damage inflicted by the order. However, there’s no indication Dodd pushed for a change.
More than 30 human and labor rights organizations voiced their concern to U.S. officials regarding Central Romana’s maneuvers to sidestep the forced labor ban’s intended consequences.
Reports from workers indicated that company efforts to improve conditions were largely superficial, with publicized benefits like health insurance and electricity still out of reach for many. Almost all interviewed employees in December 2023 expressed a desire to leave if possible.
In contrast, Central Romana’s political influence was notably strong, raising concerns about its attempt to alter the order through substantial political pressure. This action, if successful, could harm workers and compromise broader enforcement against forced labor, the advocacy groups warned.
