Dominican Republic to Deport Thousands of Haitians

A controversial ruling by the Dominican court, almost 200,000 Dominican-born people of Haitian descent are facing the risk deportation from the Dominican Republic. The new law that came into effect since the May 22, last year, had provided the scope for re-issuance of nationality documents for some Haitian individuals born in the Dominican Republic and gave others the possibility of eventual citizenship. However, a very small number of residents have been able to meet the eligibility criteria. The Haitians are 90% of the Dominican Republic's immigrants and 5.4% of the country's total population of whom only 10% have legal status. Over the last century, countless Haitians have crossed the border and went to the Dominican Republic in search of earning opportunity or to escape political violence. As per Interior Ministry's estimate, there could be about 500,000 prospective applicants for residency of whom about 50,000 people would have a fair chance of granting citizenship. However, as of the deadline on Wednesday, June 17, about 250,000 people have been registered and as per the officials, only about 10,000 have submitted required documents successfully. Many fearful migrants have waited in the queues and have spent as long as four sleepless nights outside the government offices in the capital of Santo Domingo to submit residency applications as the deadline for registration looms. Because, the Minister of the Interior and Police, Monchy Fadul had assured that those who had remained in the queue within the specified area and time will still be attended after the deadline.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reply to this article

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

E-mail (required, will not be published)

» »