ARTICLE - ID CARDS TO HAITIANS IN D.R.

ISSUANCE OF IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO HAITIANS LIVING ILLEGALLY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?
(Haiti Libre) -

José Ricardo Taveras, the Director of the Immigration Service of the Dominican Republic said that his agency was ready to issue identification cards to thousands of Haitians living illegally in his country. But, he added that his agency was awaiting the delivery by the Haitian Government, of a National Identity Card to Haitians living in the Dominican Republic, as promised by President Michel Martelly.

Taveras stressed that it was impossible for his country to provide Dominican identification cards to foreigners, who can not officially prove their identity, and their country of origin. "We are ready to start this process of mass issuance of Dominican cards to Haitians living temporarily to work or come to the Dominican Republic for various reasons, but first, the Haitian government must provide to its citizens an Identification Card for their country." He stated that this process, for the delivery of documents of Haitian Civil Status, was recently initiated with the Haitian population living in the bateys by the Consulate of Haiti in Santo Domingo with satisfactory results.

José Ricardo Taveras wished to clarify that the issuance of a Dominican card to a foreigner, is not meant in any way a legalization of their stay in the Dominican territory.