Complaints mark last days of Normalization Plan for Foreigners

SANTO DOMINGO. During the days before the expiration of the deadline of the National Plan of Normalization of Foreigners, hundreds of Haitians attended yesterday the centers located in the barrio of Sabana Perdida, in North Santo Domingo, and the residential area of Los Angeles, in East Santo Domingo.

In both places, the foreigners complained of the slowness of the process and alleged that there were so-called "sales of tickets" which were required for entry. In Sabana Perdida, the supervisor of the National Plan of Normalization, Jorge de Jesus, explained that they were attending the foreigners by numbered tickets which were handed out at the doors in order to come on a set date and day agreed-upon.

"The problem is that they (the foreigners) are selling them at RD$500 orRD$1,000 pesos after they get the tickets at the doors," said De Jesus. The ticket noted by the supervisor consists of a catalog with a number, signature and the date on which the person should attend. On the other hand, in Los Angeles barrio, the complaints were that they took up to two hours in order to call in new groups, which was the reason why some of those present accused them of sneaking in others through the back door.

Randolph Castillo, the supervisor of the center, argued that they were following an order, but the system was slow. "We begin at 7:30 in the morning. A group of 100 cases entered first, because these are family groups, they are not groups of single persons, and since then we have only permitted the entry of pregnant women," said Castillo, "when we attend the first 50 cases we are going to let another 50 persons who are on the line enter."

The Ministry of Interior and Police announced yesterday that until the end of the deadline they will be working until seven in the afternoon, and the offices will be open starting at eight in the morning even during the remaining weekend. In this stage those interested in registering have multiplied.