The Abinader administration has opened offices in Elías Piña and Dajabón where foreigners (Haitians) can register to obtain an identification document.
Interior & Police Minister Jesús Vásquez said the offices will play a stellar role in the government effort to guarantee national security at a time of the collapsed of government, and law and order in Haiti.
The role of the office is to identify the Haitians who live in Dajabón and Elías Piña. It fills in for the void of the government of Haiti that for decades has not identified its citizens.
“We cannot continue living in a country like lawless goats. It is essential that the Dominican state knows who and where foreigners are residing here. I want to specify that this registry does not imply an immigration regularization, but, it is as its name says, an identification of that person,” said Vasquez.
He pointed out that as well as the new offices in Dajabón and Elías Piña, the Ministry of Interior & Police proposes to set up another 40 similar offices, including in Punta Cana and Greater Santo Domingo.
Recently, the director general of the Migration Agency (DGM), Enrique García said that the agency has its hands tied in order to regularize Haitian citizens living in the Dominican Republic. He said that 90% of the Haitian population residing in the country does not have any type of identification documentation, which hinders the process to establish their legal status.
“It is a reality that hits us head on. The million dollar question is how to solve this problem,” asked the official while participating in a meeting with tobacco producers of Tamboril, Santiago who are concerned about losing their Haitian labor force if the government demands they only employ workers with legal status.
The activity was held at the Tabaquera El Artístico Club House, owned by businessman Radhames Rodriguez, organized by the Dominican Association of Cigars and Tobacco, and coordinated by former deputy Robinson Diaz.
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Presidency
Hoy
9 November 2021