An International Organization for Migration (IOM) survey reveals that 90% of Venezuelans living in the Dominican Republic have irregular status. The Venezuelans have arrived here as tourists and have stayed. Their irregular status is a major impediment to them finding better jobs, despite the high education levels of the Venezuelans, says Josue Gastelbondo, on behalf of IOM, as reported on 22 March 2019 in El Día newspaper.
IOM says that an estimated 25,872 Venezuelans live in the Dominican Republic. Since 2012, coinciding with the worsening of the economic, social and political situation in Venezuela, migration has increased 635%, from 3,434 estimated in 2012 to 25,872 by 2017, according to the survey. For the survey, 761 interviews were carried out in 12 Dominican provinces.
The study, “Perfil Migratorio del Venezolano en la República Dominicana,” reveals that 70% of the migrants are 18 to 35 years old. Migrants are 54% women and 46% men. Of these, 89.8% have irregular status. 7.9% have an unexpired tourist status, and 0.4% have received a work visa.
Venezuelan migrant defense groups have urged the Dominican Republic to grant special programs to the Venezuelan immigrants similar to those authorized for Haitian migrants.
The IOM works with the government of the Dominican Republic, migrants and civil society to promote the protection and care of vulnerable migrants. Programs include the regularization of irregular migrants and the assisted voluntary return and reintegration of migrants to their countries of origin.
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El Dia
Diario Libre
25 March 2019