With a unanimous vote, the Chamber of Deputies passed the two required readings on the “Bill that Establishes a Special Regime for Persons Born in the National Territory and Were Irregularly Registered in the Dominican Civil Registry and on Naturalization” submitted by the Presidency last week.
Over the weekend, the bishops of the dioceses of Santiago, San Pedro de Macoris and La Altagracia (Punta Cana) went public with their support to the naturalization bill and the implementation of the National Foreigner Legalization Plan ordered by Constitutional Ruling 168-13.
The plan seeks to document all persons living in the Dominican Republic so these have legal status. It provides a fast tracked path so that long time residents who it is determined are not Dominican can seek legal residence or naturalization. Those that do not undertake the established legalization procedures within the year and a half period established by the Constitutional Court Ruling 168-13 must return to their prior country of residence.
Monsignors Ramon Benito de la Rosa y Carpio (Santiago), Francisco Ozoria (San Pedro de Macoris) and Nicanor Pena Rodriguez (La Altagracia) congratulated President Danilo Medina for the bill that they understand resolves the status impasse in a legal and humanitarian manner. Monsignor Jose Grullon Estrella (San Juan de la Maguana) said that the bill was prudent and balanced.
“The bill resolves the immigration problem covered by a sovereign decision, adhering to our juridical framework, free of foreign formulas and pressure,” said De la Rosa y Carpio. He said that the DR has given an important step to find a solution to a problem that demanded an urgent outcome, as reported in El Dia.
The bishops urged the Senate to approve the bill without changes.
The PLD has 31 of the 32 senators. The bill is expected to be on the Senate agenda on Wednesday, 21 May.