On Tuesday, the Dominican Congress was seized of a bill to prohibit foreigners in an irregular migratory situation on the Dominican territory to rent an apartment, a room or a house.

Radhames González, Member of Congress and spokesperson of the deputies of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (Moderate Left Party one of the 3 largest parties in the Government), on the initiative of this Bill, said that his draft Law, not only targeted Haitians living illegally in the country, but all foreigners in an irregular situation to prevent certain areas become ghettos...

Stressing that with this bill the country would have some control of migrants on its territory "because it is important for the Dominicans to know how many foreigners live in this country, legally and illegally."

This bill intends to control illegal migrants and punish the owners against renting an apartment, a room, a house or any other physical space to a foreigner in an irregular migration situation. This Bill proposes to punish property owners who do not comply with this Act, with fines of up to 20 times the public sector minimum wage and seizure or closure by the State, of the property concerned for a period of 6 to 12 months. In addition "In case of repeat offense, the owner will pay double the penalties imposed during the first offense," says the bill, which target even if Gonzalez defends himself of that essentially Haitian citizens in irregular migration situation.

IH/ iciHaiti