The Supreme Court of Justice ruled it is illegal to oblige Dominicans to pay the departure tax in US dollars. The Supreme Court said it cannot repeal the 1994 decree that established the charge. In 1994, then President Balaguer ordered that both Dominicans and foreigners pay the US$10 charge in US$ currency. Previously, Dominicans and residents paid in RD$. Despite the ruling, the charge is likely to continue. Dominicans can protest and cite their constitutional right, but they risk not being allowed to leave on their programmed flight.
