http://www.aruba.com/forum/ Do you have plans to move or work in Aruba? en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:30:14 GMT vBulletin 30 http://www.aruba.com/forum/gfxs_arubaS/misc/rss.jpg http://www.aruba.com/forum/ http://www.aruba.com/forum/f34/aruba-liberalizes-immigration-policy-42210/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:11:54 GMT "Aruba liberalizes immigration policy
10 Nov, 2009, 07:10 (GMT -04:00)
http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_64954.php

ORANJESTAD — Foreign employees will not be deported after three years. In this, the cabinet will put an end to the so-called Swiss model in which immigrants have to leave the island after three years. Dimas and Iasa have already been informed in writing not to deport any people for the time being.

The government first wants to change the legislation so that foreign workers could stay longer than three years if the labor market permits such. Minister of Integration, Benny Sevinger (AVP), states that Arubans of course are given preference regarding vacancies. However, if these are not available, foreign immigrants are allowed to stay as long as necessary. This could also imply that immigrants could apply for the Dutch nationality after their stay of five years. Sevinger stated before the World Broadcast that the cooperation agreement between Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles would finally be implemented. Antilleans will be accepted automatically once they have found a job and residence. The Minister also states that he wants to liberalize the policy for the admission of citizens from other parts of the Kingdom. They will receive a permit as soon as have found a house and job on Aruba. Moreover, Sevinger states that Kingdom members would be given preference to work on Aruba than for example Columbians and Venezuelans.

Illegal foreigners
Former minister of Aliens Department, Booshi Wever (MEP), currently party-leader of MEP, has meanwhile responded furiously on the decision of the new government. He states it is dangerous for the community now that the government ‘has opened its borders without a plan’. Wever states that once it becomes known abroad that no one will be deported, Aruba could expect a substantial flow of people, including criminals or people with undesired diseases. He also fears that illegal foreigners already on the island and deliberately violating the law will profit from the new policy. According to Wever, this will put extra pressure on the infrastructure, education and AZV. “As party, we will certainly be questioning the government on this issue. One can simply not grant a general pardon, as offenders will make use of this opportunity as well.” Wever estimates the current number of illegal foreigners somewhere between the five and eight thousand.

However, Minister Sevinger emphasizes that illegal foreigners are still being deported. Only those foreign employees who are applying for a residence permit for the fourth time, or not qualifying for such and instituting legal proceedings against such, are allowed to stay for the time being. “It is unacceptable that a company would invest and train a foreign employee for three years, and that he/she would have to leave the island afterwards” according to the Minister. He also emphasized that Aruba needed employees now that statistics prove that fewer Aruban youngsters return to the island after their study abroad to find employment on the island. However, according to him that does not mean that the borders are simply opened. “I will consult with the Ministers of Tourism and Economical Affairs to come up with a policy. We will first consider the situation regarding the promises, which the former government had made for new shopping centers, apartment complexes and hotels, and then find out how many people are unemployed on Aruba. Only then can we determine whether additional foreign employees are necessary.”" ]]> Moving to Aruba Arubalisa http://www.aruba.com/forum/f34/aruba-liberalizes-immigration-policy-42210/