Dominica amends immigration law

by Paul Charles

Friday, November 21, 2003

ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica has amended its immigration and passport law to dish out stiffer fines and jail time for human trafficking and illegal entry.

The island's parliament approved the measures Wednesday that will see offenders paying out up to US$37,000 or facing a maximum of ten years behind bars. Some visitors may be asked to pay US$400 as a security deposit on arrival. Dominican nationals who assist visitors in breaking the law will also be fined.

Both Government and opposition agree there is a serious immigration problem, one that is draining a financially depressed country of money. But the two sides are bitterly divided over the remedy to the issue.

Attorney General Henry Dyer in putting forward government's case stated that some foreign nationals were using Dominica as a transshipment point, while others were setting up shop here illegally.

Dyer said the human trafficking that is taking place is undermining the relations with regional countries, and there are serious security concerns. However, opposition MPs disagree with the amendments saying they will drive away visitors, and what is needed is better policing.

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