Haiti gov’t to help citizens get documents for residency in DomRep

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The prime minister of Haiti says his government will soon launch a programme to help its citizens acquire documents needed to secure legal residency in the neighbouring Dominican Republic.

Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe also says Haiti will reduce the cost of a passport from $80 to about $25.

The announcement Thursday addresses complaints of many Haitians who have been trying to get legal residency in the Dominican Republic under a new programme in that country.

More than 80,000 Haitians have applied for residency but fewer than 300 had all the documents they need to qualify since registration began June 2. Only migrants who have been in the Dominican Republic since before October 2011 can apply.

Lamothe spoke following a meeting with Dominican officials in the town of Juan Dolio.