On Wednesday, 2 February 2017, officials from the Migration Agency (DGM) were in Sosua, Puerto Plata to check for illegal labor practices, with an apparent focus on verifying the legal status of workers. Officers checked bars and restaurants to see if those who worked there were in the country legally and authorized to work here.
A number of businesses were fined because the owners or employees failed to produce documents or proof of their legal status in the country. Officials were also checking documents of foreigners who may have been staying in the country illegally and who were under investigation by Interpol.
The following day, the DGM agents extended their investigations to include Cabarete. As a result, a number of businesses in Cabarete were fined for employing undocumented foreigners.
Sosua News reports, however, that the raids may have been a bit overzealous as several innocent tourists who were patronizing these establishments at the time of the raids were swept unlawfully detained and threatened with fines. A DGM spokesman admitted that the agency had, by mistake, accused innocent tourists of violations. The agency offered its sincere apologizes to those visitors that were mistakenly targeted.
DGM took the opportunity to advise tourists that the standard tourist card for a legal stay is valid for up to 30 days upon arrival. Those tourists who wish to stay longer than 30 days in the Dominican Republic are allowed to pay a fee when leaving the country.
Read more:
Sosua News
DR1 Forums
8 February 2017
