Antigua Immigration Department Hosts Historic Bilingual Forum With Dominican Community

In an unprecedented move toward government transparency, Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Immigration hosted its inaugural bilingual forum with the Dominican community on Friday evening, addressing long-standing concerns about residency and citizenship procedures.

The “Audience with Immigration: Residency and Citizenship Procedures” forum brought together high-level officials, including Attorney General Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, Dominican Republic Ambassador Yolanda Alexandra Victoria, and Consul General Joaquin Diaz-Lopez, demonstrating both nations’ commitment to addressing immigration challenges.

Chief Immigration Officer Katrina Yearwood acknowledged the Dominican Republic community as one of the four largest non-national communities in Antigua and Barbuda, recognizing that language barriers often lead to misinformation about immigration procedures.

“Today is about you hearing from the horse’s mouth what should and should not be done for your applications for either residency, citizenship, or e-visa applications,” Yearwood explained to the packed venue, with every statement translated in real-time to ensure full accessibility.

The forum’s bilingual approach marked a significant shift in government-community engagement, acknowledging that effective communication requires meeting communities where they are, linguistically and culturally.

Senior Immigration Officers presented comprehensive information on three critical areas affecting the Dominican community: residency applications, citizenship pathways, and e-visa procedures. They outlined step-by-step processes, clarified documentation requirements, and addressed common misconceptions that have historically plagued applicants.

The presentations aimed to reduce incomplete applications and processing delays by providing clear, authoritative guidance directly from immigration officials.

The Q&A session revealed deep frustrations within the Dominican community. One attendee shared her husband’s experience: despite paying over $4,800 in EC for three work permits and applying for citizenship in 2023, they had received no updates on the status of their application.

“Up to now, they haven’t received any call,” she explained through tears, highlighting widespread concerns about communication gaps and processing delays.

Another pressing issue emerged when attendees asked about potential amnesty for those with irregular status. While Minister Benjamin indicated he would raise the matter at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, he made no concrete promises, illustrating the delicate balance between community needs and political realities.

When asked whether people with irregular status for “six months, one year, two years” could approach the department “without fear,” officials provided measured encouragement. They emphasized that while everyone has rights, each case would require individual evaluation through proper channels.

This response reflected both the department’s willingness to work with community members and the complex legal framework governing immigration status.

The forum exposed systemic challenges facing both the immigration department and applicants. Officials acknowledged processing delays and communication gaps, and encouraged direct visits to the department for case updates rather than relying on third-party information.

The forum’s format—opening with prayer and the national anthem—struck a balance between formality and accessibility. Dominican diplomatic participation elevated the discussion beyond administrative procedures to bilateral relations between nations.

“We are deeply grateful for the presence and support of our esteemed partners from the Embassy and Consulate of the Dominican Republic, whose collaboration underscores the importance of strong bilateral and community relations,” noted department representatives.

While this inaugural forum marks progress in government-community relations, significant work remains.

The forum signals a potential shift in how Antigua and Barbuda engages with immigrant communities. By acknowledging language barriers and actively working to overcome them, the Department of Immigration has set a precedent for inclusive governance.

As one attendee observed while leaving: “At least now we know they’re listening. That’s a start.”

For the Dominican community, whose contributions to Antigua and Barbuda’s economy in construction, hospitality, and service sectors are substantial, this forum represents recognition of their importance to the nation’s future.

In a region where immigrant voices often go unheard, this direct, bilingual engagement is itself significant progress.