Dominican representatives presented “the most ambitious and comprehensive plan for foreigners in an irregular immigration situation to normalize their status of residency in the country with all legal guarantees” to the international community in Geneva yesterday, Wednesday 5 February.
The DR also presented a full report of the country’s progress on human rights to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council as part of the proceedings of the 18th session of the organization.
The delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Alejandra Liriano and head of the Foreign Ministry’s Human Rights Unit, Rhadys Abreu de Polanco.
After thanking the international community for their interest and contributions, Liriano said that she hoped that “this coherent, complete and efficient roadmap” in immigration regularization “may also be valuable for other countries in similar situations.”
The Deputy Foreign Minister outlined the two-tiered government plan: the first tier, which corresponds to immigrants with irregular status; and the second, which refers to the situation of nationals who do not have their papers in order.
The first initiative is the National Regularization Plan for Foreigners with Irregular Immigration Status. According to this plan, foreigners with irregular immigration status will be able to normalize their situation, as long as they meet the established requirements.
“Just with this plan, during the next 14 months the Dominican Republic could normalize the immigration status of thousands of individuals from over 100 countries who are currently living in the country with irregular immigration status, putting an end to their uncertainty and irregularity”, she added.
As specific measures, she announced that during the month of February the regional offices for immigration would be operational across the Dominican Republic to serve the beneficiaries of the regularization process. Also, starting this month a comprehensive outreach program will be implemented for the Plan.
The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that in the cases of immigrants with irregular status who are working and studying in the country, the Government has already promised to give them priority in granting work and student visas.
The Dominican Government also noted that, as guaranteed last November by Presidential Decree, deportations would be suspended during the implementation of the regularization process for those affected by the plan. “This decree is being scrupulously respected by the authorities,” stated Liriano.
The second initiative is focused on resolving the irregular immigration status of the individuals born to undocumented parents registered in the Dominican Republic, and their descendants.
“It is important to note that this process does not affect all the children of immigrants born in the country, since those who have at least one legally resident parent are Dominicans”, the Deputy Foreign Minister reminded.
Liriano reiterated “the firm stance” of the Dominican Government that “no person having Dominican nationality will be stripped of it”.
The Dominican Government also emphasized its commitment to basic human rights for all individuals within its territory.
As examples, she cited that the government spends 18% of its healthcare budget on serving the immigrant population, and that approximately 36,000 children of immigrants are enrolled in public schools across the country, without having to provide any documentation, and regardless of their legal status. Furthermore, she added that Dominican labor laws protect workers of any nationality, regardless of their legal status, and that labor courts issue decisions without prejudice to those immigrants whose rights have been violated, according to Dominican law.
http://presidencia.gob.do/comunicados/rd-presenta-ante-onu-el-“mas-completo”-plan-de-regularizacion-migratoria