The presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, Andres Bautista Garcia and Alfredo Pacheco, are in favor of a constitutional amendment to clarify the process for acquiring Dominican citizenship. According to Listin Diario, Pacheco believes that the basic problem is the inclusion of the ‘jus soli” judicial precept and said the Constitution is not totally clear about this issue. He insists that the DR must protect its sovereignty. Bautista Garcia stated that the issue of Haitian migration is extremely important and the DR cannot relinquish its right to regulate the admission of foreigners to its territory. “We cannot depend on what international organizations want to be done with Haiti”, he declared. PRSC and PLD senators have signed a bill asking for a constitutional amendment to establish the “jus sanguinis” as the only way of obtaining citizenship. In total, 19 senators have supported the bill for the amendment of Article 11 of the constitution.
Diario Libre indicates that the bill was presented by senator Juan Morales.
El Caribe reports that deputy Pelegrin Castillo, who is well-versed in Haitian issues, stated that the sentence which is being expected from the Supreme Court of Justice regarding “jus soli” is fundamental for the Dominican state. In the next few days, the SCJ is expected to set its position regarding the acquisition of Dominican citizenship in a process which includes interpreting the Constitution, international treaties and the Migration Law. The high court is studying two unconstitutionality suits against the Migration Law. The Dominican Episcopal Conference of the Catholic Church has urged the SCJ to resolve the conflict between “jus soli” and “jus sanguinis”.