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Dominican Republic extends residency deadline ahead of mass deportation Dominican Republic extends residency deadline ahead of mass deportation
(1 day later)
The Dominican Republic is giving people a few more hours to apply for legal residency as a Wednesday deadline caused long lines to form at offices handling the paperwork.The Dominican Republic is giving people a few more hours to apply for legal residency as a Wednesday deadline caused long lines to form at offices handling the paperwork.
Related: Dominicans of Haitian descent fear mass deportation as deadline loomsRelated: Dominicans of Haitian descent fear mass deportation as deadline looms
Hundreds of people, mostly low-wage workers from neighboring Haiti, waited in line all night to submit residency applications under a registration initiative that began last June.Hundreds of people, mostly low-wage workers from neighboring Haiti, waited in line all night to submit residency applications under a registration initiative that began last June.
Around 500,000 undocumented people living in the Dominican Republic face potential deportation under the plan. The country’s authorities have reportedly lined up a fleet of buses and established processing centers on the border with Haiti, prompting widespread fears of mass roundups of Dominicans of Haitian descent.Around 500,000 undocumented people living in the Dominican Republic face potential deportation under the plan. The country’s authorities have reportedly lined up a fleet of buses and established processing centers on the border with Haiti, prompting widespread fears of mass roundups of Dominicans of Haitian descent.
On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry announced it will accept the applications until midnight, extending the initial deadline by five hours.On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry announced it will accept the applications until midnight, extending the initial deadline by five hours.
The Dominican Republic has said migrants who can prove they entered the country before October 2011 can qualify for legal residency. Otherwise they could face deportation.The Dominican Republic has said migrants who can prove they entered the country before October 2011 can qualify for legal residency. Otherwise they could face deportation.
The Dominican government says the changes to its nationality laws aim to tackle illegal migration from neighboring Haiti. Human rights groups say the move is rooted in racism and xenophobia in the Dominican Republic towards darker-skinned Haitians.The Dominican government says the changes to its nationality laws aim to tackle illegal migration from neighboring Haiti. Human rights groups say the move is rooted in racism and xenophobia in the Dominican Republic towards darker-skinned Haitians.
Over the last century hundreds of thousands of Haitians have crossed into the more prosperous Dominican Republic to escape political violence or seek a better life, many ending up working as poorly paid sugar cane cutters.Over the last century hundreds of thousands of Haitians have crossed into the more prosperous Dominican Republic to escape political violence or seek a better life, many ending up working as poorly paid sugar cane cutters.
Human rights groups say the 2014 law could impact as many as 200,000 Dominican-born people of Haitian descent who lost their Dominican citizenship after a constitutional court ruling in 2013 that has come under international criticism.Human rights groups say the 2014 law could impact as many as 200,000 Dominican-born people of Haitian descent who lost their Dominican citizenship after a constitutional court ruling in 2013 that has come under international criticism.
Dominican President Danilo Medina has said there will be no mass deportations. But government officials say Haitian migrants can be deported within 48 hours of the deadline, and the country’s army says 2,000 troops are on standby to help coordinate the removal of people who fail to meet legal requirements to remain in the country. Dominican president Danilo Medina has said there will be no mass deportations. But government officials say Haitian migrants can be deported within 48 hours of the deadline, and the country’s army says 2,000 troops are on standby to help coordinate the removal of people who fail to meet legal requirements to remain in the country.
The government says four “Welcome Centers” are being set up to receive undocumented people. Local media have reported the government has dozens of buses ready to transport undocumented people to the Haiti border. The government says four “welcome centers” are being set up to receive undocumented people. Local media have reported the government has dozens of buses ready to transport undocumented people to the Haiti border.
People registered under the regularization program as Dominicans of Haitian descent will have at least 45 days during which their applications are verified.People registered under the regularization program as Dominicans of Haitian descent will have at least 45 days during which their applications are verified.
On Tuesday, Milaine Nocent beamed as she showed a reporter a copy of an official document obtained after four days of standing in line to register her children as Dominicans.On Tuesday, Milaine Nocent beamed as she showed a reporter a copy of an official document obtained after four days of standing in line to register her children as Dominicans.
“Now we can stay,” she said with evident relief.“Now we can stay,” she said with evident relief.
Augustin Wasner, a construction worker who said he lacked the needed documents, vowed that whatever happened he would never return to Haiti.Augustin Wasner, a construction worker who said he lacked the needed documents, vowed that whatever happened he would never return to Haiti.
“I have brought many papers, I talked with many men but I can’t get inside,” Wasner said.“I have brought many papers, I talked with many men but I can’t get inside,” Wasner said.
Human rights officials say it is unclear how many people who have registered will be accepted as citizens, or face removal.Human rights officials say it is unclear how many people who have registered will be accepted as citizens, or face removal.
As many as 53,000 people born in the Dominican Republic lack documents to make their cases, such as birth records. Of those, less than 9,000 have been able to register under the regularization program, according to Human Rights Watch.As many as 53,000 people born in the Dominican Republic lack documents to make their cases, such as birth records. Of those, less than 9,000 have been able to register under the regularization program, according to Human Rights Watch.
Amnesty International said it was concerned many Dominican-born people with a legitimate right to stay could be removed because they lack documentation.Amnesty International said it was concerned many Dominican-born people with a legitimate right to stay could be removed because they lack documentation.