Chile Announces Amnesty for Immigrants
On Monday, October 22 2007, news agencies announced the Resolution of the Sub-secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the government of Chile which establishes a path of legalization for foreigners of various Latin-American countries.
This announcement has caused a great reaction and expectation, not only among the migrant community but also in the institutions that deal with immigration issues. In order to better explain and divulge this information, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Migration has invited the Rev. Algacir Munhak, c.s. vice-president if INCAMI (Catholic Chile Institute for Migration), president of the Scalabrini Foundation in Chile and member of the Development Office of the Scalabrini NGO in the US, to take part in an information meeting which will be held in the Department’s offices, in the city of Santiago, Chile. The main objective of this meeting, besides exchanging ideas, was to revise the content of the instructions and of the legalization form.
It is estimated that approximately 20,000 foreigners will be eligible for legalization. This figure is expected to increase due to the number of people who have not previously disclosed their immigration status. The Scalabrini Foundation and the Development Office of the Scalabrini NGO intends to contribute to the legalization process by a campaign that will promote the dissemination of the information. Irregular or unauthorized immigrants are more exposed to vulnerability and this calls for an involvement of the Scalabrinian community.
A point that has been emphasized is the importance of creating a network of institutional support that will result in a larger coverage and efficiency in the dissemination of the information. This will avoid the intrusion of middlemen or intermediates, since this task does not require this kind of service.
NEWS FROM THE MINISTRY OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS OF CHILE:
Through resolution Ex. N° 36339, dated October 21, 2007 of the Sub-secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (see document) the process of regularization has been approved for the foreigners who are citizens of the following countries: Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Cayman Islands, and Haiti.
Beginning November 5, 2007 and until February 5, 2008, they will be able to apply for the Immigration Regularization Program (legalization), if they meet the following conditions:
- Have entered the country on or before 10/21/2007.
- Have a Valid Passport or National Identification Document.
- Fall into one of the following categories:
- Reside in the country in an irregular form; and/or
- Work without proper authorization; or
- Have a pending application; or
- Contravened the Arica-Tacna Convention; or
- Entered the country in an irregular form.
For additional information, please refer to the following web page:
http://www.extranjeria.gob.cl/
To access instructions sheet AND application form:
http://www.extranjeria.gob.cl/filesapp/
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