Carry Passport or Passport Copy

chicagoan14

Newbie
Apr 2, 2019
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I came across this comment made in response to a post in one of the Facebook DR expat groups about 6 foreigners in court for not producing their passports to police with some of them having digital copies in their phone. Is this some type of new enforcement action that is going on?

@NanSanPedro @SKY @Joseph NY2STI @CristoRey @Meemselle @AlterEgo et. al, thoughts? It seems unclear if the issue is the lack of a copy of the entry stamps or whether they are now prosecuting not having a physical passport when demanded.
I can't really imagine any situation that involves regular police where they'd request this.

I can imagine a deeper dive into documents if you were wrapped up into some trouble.
 

NanSanPedro

Nickel with tin plating
Apr 12, 2019
7,634
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Boca Chica
yeshaiticanprogram.com
I came across this comment made in response to a post in one of the Facebook DR expat groups about 6 foreigners in court for not producing their passports to police with some of them having digital copies in their phone. Is this some type of new enforcement action that is going on?

@NanSanPedro @SKY @Joseph NY2STI @CristoRey @Meemselle @AlterEgo et. al, thoughts? It seems unclear if the issue is the lack of a copy of the entry stamps or whether they are now prosecuting not having a physical passport when demanded.
Without seeing the court minutes or at least an article about what happened, it's hard to comment. Again, for me 6 years and no issues.
 

JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
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It certainly would be interesting to know what prompted the police to ask for their passports. Fair enough on the entry stamp...but a photo of that should suffice too, If it's an overstay...let's not go down that road again!
 
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Farmer

Antiguo
Dec 2, 2003
258
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I didn't want to carry mine even to Banreservas. It took them months after my request to change my info over to my cedula to now allow that as my ID. The same day that I walked into Cooperativa San Jose here in town it was done in 10 minutes.
 
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Jan 9, 2004
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I came across this comment made in response to a post in one of the Facebook DR expat groups about 6 foreigners in court for not producing their passports to police with some of them having digital copies in their phone. Is this some type of new enforcement action that is going on?

@NanSanPedro @SKY @Joseph NY2STI @CristoRey @Meemselle @AlterEgo et. al, thoughts? It seems unclear if the issue is the lack of a copy of the entry stamps or whether they are now prosecuting not having a physical passport when demanded.
If the posts are accurate, likely this is in reaction to the ongoing deportations and an attempt to not give the appearance of bias.

That having been said, even with a copy of a passport they should be able to contact migracion computers to determine entry/exit information.

Finally, their laws.....their rules......if in fact such a rule exists.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
 

Meemselle

Just A Few Words
Oct 27, 2014
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I came across this comment made in response to a post in one of the Facebook DR expat groups about 6 foreigners in court for not producing their passports to police with some of them having digital copies in their phone. Is this some type of new enforcement action that is going on?

@NanSanPedro @SKY @Joseph NY2STI @CristoRey @Meemselle @AlterEgo et. al, thoughts? It seems unclear if the issue is the lack of a copy of the entry stamps or whether they are now prosecuting not having a physical passport when demanded.
I cannot imagine a scenario, other than the bank, where I might be called upon to produce my physical passport. The laminated copy I carry in my wallet is fine for the farmacia and car rental. I guess I would just never put myself into a situation where I might be asked to produce it. So if this excludes going to demonstrations and/or getting arrested, I guess I can live with that.
 
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jose949

Member
Oct 29, 2016
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Were the foreigners Haitians?
No further info, I did not ask. I'll look out if more credible reports surface.

I cannot imagine a scenario, other than the bank, where I might be called upon to produce my physical passport. The laminated copy I carry in my wallet is fine for the farmacia and car rental. I guess I would just never put myself into a situation where I might be asked to produce it. So if this excludes going to demonstrations and/or getting arrested, I guess I can live with that.
The original post mentioned this: "Anyone who drives make sure you have all your documents. Put on your seat belt, and no phones. Amet is everywhere and actually not taking money in Santiago and Mao. Military check points all over as well. First the 1st time in twenty years they acttually had me open my trunk. 2 tickets in 2 days. Looks like its time to tint my windshield again!!"
 

cavok

Silver
Jun 16, 2014
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No further info, I did not ask. I'll look out if more credible reports surface.


The original post mentioned this: "Anyone who drives make sure you have all your documents. Put on your seat belt, and no phones. Amet is everywhere and actually not taking money in Santiago and Mao. Military check points all over as well. First the 1st time in twenty years they acttually had me open my trunk. 2 tickets in 2 days. Looks like its time to tint my windshield again!!"
Did they check for your road safety kit?
 

jose949

Member
Oct 29, 2016
73
21
8
If the posts are accurate, likely this is in reaction to the ongoing deportations and an attempt to not give the appearance of bias.

That having been said, even with a copy of a passport they should be able to contact migracion computers to determine entry/exit information.

Finally, their laws.....their rules......if in fact such a rule exists.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
True, its not out of reach that they could be diversifying for the purpose of appearances.

Did they check for your road safety kit?
I didn't see that mentioned (it's not my post)
 

cavok

Silver
Jun 16, 2014
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True, its not out of reach that they could be diversifying for the purpose of appearances.


I didn't see that mentioned (it's not my post)
Your post mentioned things that you could get fined for - a road safety kit is one of them.
 

jose949

Member
Oct 29, 2016
73
21
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Your post mentioned things that you could get fined for - a road safety kit is one of them.
Yes. it is possible, what I mean is I am not the person who made the post on Facebook, I just shared it for broader context regarding the passport checks
 

Jan

Bronze
Jan 3, 2002
2,021
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Santo Domingo Este
www.colonialzone-dr.com
In my friend's car going to Palenque , he was being my taxi. We got stopped at a check point. 2 big mean looking military with big guns came to the drivers window. I didn't want the man leaning in the window, my 2 large dogs were in the back seat. I told the military guy there were 2 big dogs and the other guy echoed my words backing away. My driver friend said we were going to Palenque and they waved us on doing nothing and not getting any money.