OBMICA presents at CONDEX seminar on Dominican emigration

December 5, 2013 -- With the aim of presenting to Dominican society the reality of Dominican emigration, the Foundation for the Integral Development of Dominicans Abroad (FUNDODEX), with the support of the National Council for Communities Abroad (CONDEX), held the first seminar on the emigration of Dominicans abroad. OBMICA was invited to present on the characteristics and profiles of Dominicans who emigrate abroad.

At the event, participants exchanged views for the design of strategies and the planning of joint work on migration aspects of great importance, such as the consequences of illicit journeys, trafficking and smuggling, and the conditions of returnees and deportees. Among the topics discussed were the characteristics and profiles of Dominicans who emigrate, illegal yola travel and trafficking, deportees and voluntary return, actions for the protection of Dominicans abroad, among others.

Dominican-American professor Marianella Belliard, an associate researcher at OBMICA, participated in the event. According to data presented by her, the majority of Dominicans residing in the United States have legal status. However, the community shows low rates of naturalization, which has had an impact on the high levels of deportation of Dominican-Americans. She said that Dominicans tend to regularize their status soon after arriving.

Belliard explained that OBMICA is one of the few organizations in the Dominican Republic that has begun to generate new knowledge about the situation of deported persons from the United States to Santo Domingo, mentioning a video clip created to raise awareness among a broad public about some of the hardships this population may face when forced migration sends them to their supposed homeland. More information about the videoclip can be found here.

The gathering also included members of the National Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseas deputies, the embassies of Venezuela, Panama, Aruba, Cuba, and Spain, universities, and other organizations. The seminar took place on December 5 at the Barcelo Hotel in Santo Domingo, above all thanks to the enormous efforts of overseas deputy Adelys Olivares and her talented team.

See the article in Diario Libre.