More than 12,000 undocumented immigrants have voluntarily returned to their countries

THE NEW DAILYSANTO DOMINGO, June 23 (EFE).- A total of 12,165 undocumented people had returned voluntarily to their countries of origin until yesterday, after the end of the period of deadline of reception to the Plan National of Regularization for Foreigners, said today to EFE, the director of Migration, Rubén Darío Paulino Sem.

The official reiterated that "voluntary return will exempt foreigners from receiving the sanctions contemplated in the Migration regulations. This means that, eventually, they could return to the country without impediments, provided they comply with the established documentation requirements such as visas, etc."

He also noted that any foreigner in an irregular immigration status who has not applied to the Regularization Plan can regularize their status by following the " ordinary procedure established in the Migration Law ".

"The Dominican State is working to modernize registries, improve border control and strengthen, through legality , security in our territory ," he noted.

Paulino Sem added that, simultaneously, immigration authorities have implemented "a series of measures through the assisted voluntary return plan for undocumented immigrants. In this way, those who did not register for the Regularization Plan will receive free assistance to return to their homeland ."

The return facilities came into effect yesterday, June 22, and will remain in place until July 6, except on Sundays.

The assistance program, in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also participates, has made available to those interested ground transport and security to take them to the port , airport or border of their convenience.

They will also receive assistance in establishing the necessary contacts with the consular authorities of their nations.

Transportation will be available at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center located in the National District, and at the governor's offices in the provinces of La Altagracia, San Pedro de Macorís, Santiago de los Caballeros, Valverde (Mao), San Juan de la Maguana and Barahona.

Paulino states that this series of actions "demonstrates the authorities' willingness not to negatively impact any foreigner interested in regularizing their status." EFE