The Immigration Department (Direccion General de Migracion, or DGM) has prepared its plan for registering and legalizing most of the illegal foreigners in the Dominican Republic. According to Hoy newspaper reporter Loyda Pena, the agency plans to legalize foreigners who have been in the country since 1984 by using a points system. Anyone who does not fulfill the requisites will be repatriated.
In order to ensure fair and equal treatment, the points system will look at length of stay, socio-economic conditions and other factors. Documentation is a prerequisite for participation in the plan. Passports must have at least 18 months validity, birth certificates must be legalized and in Spanish and less than six months old. Other documents such as marriage certificates are also accepted. According to the plan, foreigners who entered the country illegally between 14 August 1984 and 14 August 1989 can opt for temporary residence that can become permanent after four renewals.