On Thursday afternoon, the Consulate General of Colombia held a press conference, led by Consul General Luis Gustavo Serrano, together with Grislynn Hernandez of the VeneAruba Solidaria Foundation.
Consul Serrano recalled that last week Minister of Justice Arthur Dowers announced the launch of Regularization Track #4 for migrants in Aruba, beginning on October 1 and running through December 31. This program forms part of Prime Minister Mike Eman’s government initiative, led by the Ministry of Justice, and has been in preparation for over a month.
Serrano emphasized the importance of the agreement signed between the Colombian Consulate in Aruba, UNHCR (ACNUR), and DIMAS (Department of Integration, Management, and Admission of Foreigners) to support this regularization program. The initiative aims to help migrants who lack proper legal status obtain residence permits to remain in Aruba lawfully.
The Colombian Consulate and UNHCR have dedicated resources to assist the process, while VeneAruba Solidaria Foundation will provide authorized logistical support.
Consul Serrano explained the four tracks of the regularization program:
- Track 1 – For migrants who have a guarantor to apply for permits.
- Track 2 – For students and other specific categories.
- Track 3 – For migrants with prior permits for five years, who may now apply for an additional five-year permit, change employers, or work simultaneously during this period. DIMAS has also reduced the cost of this permit to 2,000 florins for five years.
- Track 4 – Recently launched, this allows migrants without guarantors to receive a one-year permit. During that time, they can seek an employer to sponsor them, after which they may apply for a five-year permit.
Serrano highlighted that this program represents a critical step in improving the legal situation of many migrants living in Aruba.
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