Minister of Justice: We are starting to check for illegal immigration
ORANJESTAD - During a recent press conference, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Arthur Dowers, shared information about the handling of the Hunto pa Progreso program.
Although the program ended some time ago, DIMAS, with the support of the UN Migration Agency Regional Office for Central America, North America and the Caribbean (IOM) is currently working to match employers with individuals who have registered for Pathway 4 and who meet all the requirements. Those who have registered must keep their contact information up-to-date, as they have one year to find an employer and move on to the regular path.
Minister Dowers indicated that the regular path is not yet open for initial applications, to give the 1,500 individuals in Pathway 4 the opportunity to find work. Individuals with an academic or scientific specialization, as well as domestic workers and cooks, can submit an initial application. Minister Dowers announced intensified administrative checks on guarantors of individuals who have overstayed their legal residency. It is the guarantor's responsibility to ensure the individual's return to their country. In the event of government intervention, the costs of tracing and deportation will be recovered from the guarantor. Medical expenses for undocumented individuals without AZV coverage are also the responsibility of the guarantor, not the government.
Minister Dowers emphasized that there is no reason to employ undocumented individuals, as employers have access to a pool of 1,500 registered individuals. The checks will also focus on individuals who facilitate illegality, including illegal medical practices, illegal sales of medicines, illegal car rentals, and the rental of homes to individuals without residency, which can have legal consequences for the landlord.
Minister Dowers urges everyone to respect the law in order to maintain a dignified, orderly, and safe Aruba.