President Danilo Medina signed Decree 327-13 that establishes the terms and conditions for the legalization of all foreigners living in the Dominican Republic with irregular status, on Friday, 30 November. The measure mainly benefits Haitian immigrants and those for negligence or due to the high financial and bureaucratic cost in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Dominican government is simplifying and expediting procedures and drastically reducing costs for applicants who adhere to the 18- month plan timeframe and meet the minimum requirements established. The measure fulfills the mandate of the General Immigration Law 285-04 and the provisions of the Constitutional Court judgment TC/0168/13.
To adhere to the plan, foreigners living in the country must demonstrate a link with
Dominican society, having had children who were born in the country, having studied in the country, knowing how to speak and write Spanish, reside at a fixed address, living with a Dominican and not having a criminal record. There are provisions for applicants who can demonstrate owning property, bank accounts, having a regular job or a specialized skill. Anyone choosing not to adhere to the plan has the choice of assisted repatriation or will be subject to deportation.
The Medina administration also announced that in the coming weeks it would announce a bill establishing the base for special naturalization that will be sent to Congress.
About this provision, the Minister of the Presidency, Gustavo Montalvo said that “in no case can it be confused with an amnesty, as has been mentioned erroneously. It is simply a bill that our country has needed for some time and will, together with the regularization plan, establish clear, consistent and predictable rules, with fair criteria that define who is entitled to Dominican nationality, who are legal residents and who are visitors.”
Critics say the National Immigration Legalization Plan is more generous in its provisions for accommodating immigrants than what had been set out in the law.
Former judge Juan Miguel Castillo Pantaleon and author Manuel Nunez commented that with Decree 327-13 the government is taking the first step towards unifying the Dominican Republic with Haiti. They said that the National Foreigner Legalization Plan violates the Constitution and the Immigration Law. They said it was the first document since the founding of the Republic that blesses the fusion of both nations. Speaking at a rally called by the National Network for Defense of Sovereignty in Santiago, Castillo expressed his opposition to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission intervening in matters that should be up to Dominicans to resolve.
www.elcaribe.com.do/2013/12/02/dicen-decreto-primer-paso-para-unificar-isla
http://elnacional.com.do/danilo-medina-firma-el-decreto-del-plan-nacional-de-regularizacion/