The United Workers Party (UWP) has called for the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administration to cease the alleged practice of requiring Haitian Nationals to pay a bond of US$400 to immigration officials upon entry into the country.
Haiti became a member state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on 2 July 2002, which allowed for the unrestricted movement of its citizens to other member states, including Dominica, according to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
In a statement released by the UWP, on Wednesday, 26 December, they claimed that the $US400 deposit for legal entry by Haitians to Dominica, is refundable “upon legal departure from the State within one month of entry.”
The UWP condemned the alleged practice, referring to it as a “discriminatory” and “unpardonable act,” as the requirement was not said to have been imposed on citizens of any other CARICOM member states.
Dominica News Online (DNO) has attempted to contact the Ministry of Immigration and National Security without success so far. However we will continue to seek comment from the appropriate authorities.
Why does the UWP keep shooting itself in the foot, what’s the purpose of taking on an issue with no benefits with voters, the fact is most Dominicans believes that we have enough or too many Haitians Nationals in Dominica yet the UWP is advocating making it easier to flood Dominica with more. The question is does the UWP have a plan or a strategy to win the next election or all you just winging it like the current government been doing for 18yrs , how about focussing on Something that voters care about.
Mike, there is a difference between shooting yourself in the foot (like you are doing now), and being an intellectual, accommodating matters of policy and country’s long term development, that your failed PM Skerrit and his failed 18 ministers are extremely weak at. You seem to be extremely partisan and personal that you are lost and blind to the bigger picture of the need for serious development for our ailing economy and Country. Tell us Mike, where is the socio-economic development taking place in Dominica to stop our failed Skerrit sending states funds to poor people who live miserable in poverty created by your corrupt labour Government. We in this ministry where we try to function professionally based on our training your failed Skerrit is still trying to get through Kindergaden and has crippled our island into poverty while we up in this ministry are trying to apply what we know, what we are trained to do (Unlike immature Skerrit) with obstacles and interference at High Office.
It’s 2017, right after Hurricane Maria. Dominican’s cannot access water, food and basic services so those who can, flee to St. Lucia.
St. Lucia puts a USD $400 bond in place, because the Dominicans are flooding its country, coming in droves, putting a strain on St. Lucia’s economy.
When asked about their care for Dominican’s safety, their struggle for a better life, one St. Lucian says “what i care about Dominicans have to pay 400us to come into St. Lucia!!! i Care about not getting a bonus for christmas, low salaries and duty at the port being too high..i dont care about no Dominican stupesssssss”
Another says: “Although Dominica and other countries may be part of the Caricom, this does not preclude individual countries instituting their own control measures where immigration is concerned.”
Turn on your fellow Caribbean people but tell me:
Where are you planning to turn when next you’re in need?
The US? The UK? Hint hint: you don’t look like them
We should look at ourselves before judging others. Our government insisted on people paying departure tax, with no receipt given, cash only collected in a plastic bag before letting them on the ferry to St. Lucia to seek refuge from the effect of Maria. I was there and saw it. Did that money ever reach the treasury I wonder.
UWP again not focusing on the bread and butter issues what i care about haitians have to pay 400us to come into Dca!!! i Care about not getting a bonus for christmas, low salaries and duty at the port being too high..i dont care about no haitian stupesssssss…then alyu wonder why alu always losing…sot
Open your mind t the bigger picture of governance and how any state should be conducting its own internal affairs. You have nothing of substance to talk about so you have to be seen responding to everything that this Disciplined UWP Team have to offer in terms of Dominicans protection, foreign affairs matters etc. I noticed that you are weak on how a country like Domininca operates, so keep on reading on the Hon Linton`s saying and writings and forget where, if any that Skerrit is able to pronounce on the bigger picture of Dominica`s Socio-economic development. he is a failure and he must Go.
We need Change, Corrupt Labour Government Must Go. Their term is over. Dominicans here and abroad, please kick out this useless, nonsensical Labour Government.
U people need to get ur facts straight. The Haitians can only stay in Dominica for 6 months without a visa. Not indefinitely. So laws have to be put in place so they have a greater chance of leaving when the time is up. UWP cant make up there mind on what they want. First they want the Haitians them to go, now they want them to stay.
Well let me put my ten cent view
It’s alleged or the word on the streets, is that on christmas day while a many was enjoying the day. The haitians were up to their slick ways again. They charter 4 planes, leaving from the dominican republic, not port of prince haiti, into dominica, all full up, stating they were coming on vacation 
and there were more flight schedule they next day. They police were caught off guard. They have to bring in people from head quarts to charles-douglas, to help, They are again using dominica as a spring board to get into guadelope. So while the caricom elites, mia mottley, andrew holness, Irwin larocque, manorma soek nandan and the evil doctor “Supremo” party all day and night drinking cocktail waiting for santa to bring gifts, dominica got coal for xmas, because of their dumb CSME plan.
Although Haiti and other countries may be part of the Caricom, this does not preclude individual countries instituting their own control measures where immigration is concerned. I don’t see anything wrong with or without the bond. With the bond, it is somewhat a restriction measure to protect the country’s GDP. If there is no restriction, the entire Haitian population will think that Dominica has so much gold that they can share with their country. I am not supporting political views, but the 400 is kool.
Is UWP serious? You people are alleging that the Government is bringing in Haitians in droves in order to benefit them at the polls, then, you are asking them to make it easier to get them here? What are bunch of jokers!
On a serious note, I believe in free movement throughout the region. I commend the Government for removing the visa requirement. If there is any fee requirement, then, it should be banned ASAP. Haitians are our brothers and sisters, let us make them feel welcome.
UWP, we are voting DLP. We need our leader, PM Skeritt to continue to transform this Nation!
My friend Haiti is a member of Caricom the people cannot be discriminated against .
Haitians getting involved in our election is a separate issue!You are all over the map like a rolling Stone .
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
You are too clever by half. One has nothing to do with the other. Hatians should not be discriminated against. They are Caricom nationals. If we want to control their presence here we could treat them as we treat visitors who are EU citizens. They do not need a visa and can stay for three monts before they require a residence permit. The other thing that troubles me is that these arrivals from Haïti invariably pay this fee in cash, certainly not by cheque and hardly by credi card. Where are these revenues recorded in our government accounts?
Amen, so true, you are so right on tis point.
Your failed Labour government did not remove the restrictions. Since OECS and CARICOM, member states, including our own Dominicans are free to travel to each ECS and CARICOM island freely. Just like what happens with the European Union nationals.
I think that the US$400.00 collected by this DL P regime from the Haitians is wrong.. Knowing that the corrupt DLP regime is noted for trickery ,deceipt,deception,etc concerned Dominicans must now monitor why so many Haitians are flooding the country.. It’s time to double down the call for Electoral Reform.
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
% and views expressed please stay on your medication. As the leader of the opposition you have been yelling about the people of Haiti presence in Dominica, now you are shedding crocodile tears! Just where do you stand? The people of Marigot elected you to be their leader not the Haitians. Only a person with phychological issues will write and turn around as a different person and praise their self. You have been campaigning the day after election still you cannot get a crowd.
Me One, thanks much for your ably advice. We will continue as usual, and happy that you are ably reading our comments and also educating yourself wholeheartedly rather than to focus on this failed PM Skerrit and his Corrupt Labour Government. We will educate you and your blind friends on the true situation of Dominica’s lack of development. Next time your write take this time to consider who you are blindly loyal to, a failed Skerrit and his political gang, or our suffering isle of Beauty, Dominica. Make up your mind who or what comes first. We all know that Skerrit will Go, it is a fact. He has failed you, me, your family, my family, and the poor struggling people of Dominica. Skerrit must Go and we the people of Domininca must kick him out and his corrupt incompetent failed Labour Government. There is no development taking pace in Domininca. This is what we hardworking civil servants know of and discuss at our resoctive Government offfcies.
OK, now I stop taking Workers seriously….
I suspect you never took them seriously in the first place.
That aside they do have a point. Now that they no longer need a visa to enter Dominica, what is the point in collecting that fee? They are CAICOM Nationals remember.
U people need to get ur facts straight. The Haitians can only stay in Dominica for 6 months without a visa. Not indefinitely. So laws have to be put in place so they have a greater chance of leaving when the time is up. UWP cant make up there mind on what they want. First they want the Haitians them to go, now they want them to stay.