Illidge Road: --- Several hundreds of undocumented persons rushed over to the immigration and naturalization department on AT. Illidge Road to capitalize on the opportunity granted to them to obtain legal documents.
Many of them turned away for the lack of proper or insufficient documentation that is required to obtain residency based on the Brooks Tower Accord. Numbers were being distributed to those that qualify prior to entering the department for processing.
Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba has given those residing in the Netherlands Antilles illegally an opportunity to legalize themselves through the Brooks Tower Accord, which was signed in March 2007. Minister Jacoba said earlier this month that the immigration department would begin receiving applications from illegal immigrants from November 3 to December 15 2009 in accordance with the Brooks Tower Accord.
Several of the persons who began lining up at the Immigration and Naturalization services as early as 2 pm on Tuesday had to return home for the lack of proper and required documentation that would prove how long they are living on St. Maarten undocumented. Just about 9pm last night about 140 numbers were given out to those that had what is needed to submit their applications.
While the department did not open their doors exactly on time to receive the applications the department it is understood plans to stay open until midnight rather than closing off at 10pm as planned. The immigration and naturalization department would continue receiving applications everyday of this week at 4pm. Persons are advised to walk with all necessary documentation to avoid unnecessary delay.
SMN News learnt that the guards working at the scene managed to control the crowd, even though some of the people who braved the afternoon sun were becoming somewhat tensed.
There were persons mostly from the Caribbean region seeking to get legalized many of them went straight to the location after work to make sure they submit their documents.
Reporters managed to speak to immigrants who have been living on the island for over ten years, some of whom are working and their employers have refused to file for them.