NEW REGULATION SHOULD BE CALLED THE "JORAN VAN DER SLOOT STANDARD"

With all the political hostility towards the Dutch going on in Aruba, and considering how many Dutch were/are involved in desecrating the island of Aruba because of the Natalee Holloway cover-up, it is about time Aruba takes notice and sets some standards.

ARUBA KICKS OUT DUTCH WHO HAVE OVERSTAYED WELCOME

ORANJESTAD — Since the end of last month, there is considerable unrest among the European Dutch citizens after the immigration refused them entry onto the island. It concerns Dutch citizens who have exceeded the maximum stay of 180 days per calendar year.

This never occurred before.

Since the implementation of the new computer system, the immigration can simply keep track of how long the Dutch citizens stay on the island.

Those exceeding the 180 days will therefore be expelled.

Another problem is the lack of clarity on the residence regulation. In the Immigration Policy for Foreigners, it states that European Dutch citizens may stay on the island for 180 consecutive days per calendar year. The regulation that was employed, was that someone was allowed to stay on Aruba for a maximum of 180 days, and subsequently had to leave the island for thirty days, and return afterwards – without any problem at all – to stay another 180 days on Aruba. This has been changed recently, the immigration organization of the government, Dimas, finally admits.

In first instance, a co-worker of Dimas stated that the rule of 180 days on Aruba, and thirty days off, was still in force. The supervisor of the immigration department at the airport is contradicting this message. He argues that a European Dutch citizen is allowed to stay for 180 days per twelve months. “That has always been the case, but nobody ever checked it.”

The supervisor continues, “Before the new computer system, we had to count the days with the help of the stamps in the passports. This was not done. Now we have a new system which makes this control easier.”

After 1½ week, Dimas is finally capable of providing clarity. According to adjunct director Ayesha Staring-Engelbrecht, it is indeed since recently that the immigration has been counting the number of days that person had been on the island. “No one without a permit may stay on the island longer than 180 days per calendar year”, says Engelbrecht.

Engelbrecht also explains that according to the government, the calendar year starts on the first day that someone arrives on Aruba. “It could therefore also start in August.” This confused among the European Dutch citizens as they think that a calendar year runs from January up to and including December. Engelbrecht said that she currently has contact with ‘a number’ of Dutch citizens who have also encountered this situation. The adjunct director said she had ‘come up with a solution’ for these people so that they could still stay on Aruba longer than the 180 days. However, this group must be in the possession of a so-called ‘renteniersbrief’ (letter confirming this person is living off private means).

“It is true, that the control on the 180 days-rule should have been communicated better”, said Engelbrecht. “It is an uncongenial measure, but I do want everyone to respect the current rules.” According to the immigration department, the Immigration Policy for Foreigners from November 2007 has changed since last month. Upon inquiry with Engelbrecht, it appeared that there was only a document stating the admission requirements for tourist. The document was dated September 8th, the day before yesterday. In this document, the word ‘consecutive’ – which had always led to an interpretation difference between the duped European Dutch citizens and the government – has been deleted. Based on the aforementioned, the Dutch citizens thought that after 180 days on Aruba and thirty days abroad, they could return to Aruba; this was actually tolerated for more than ten years until last month.

No sunny Christmas

The group or European Dutch citizens, has meanwhile started a discussion on the internet. From this and other reactions, which the editorial office received, it appears that the duped are not anxious to sound the alarm with the government, especially for fear of ‘retaliation’.

“We only bring money to the island”, is one of the reactions.

Others also wonder why Aruba is so strict, as they do not make use of the social provisions.

Many have a second home here, and remain registered as well as insured in the Netherlands.

A married couple with a second home says, “Upon arrival on Aruba, the immigration counted the number of days that we’ve been here. The plan was to return around Christmas, but now we don’t know. I really wouldn’t know what to do, if I return at Christmas, and there’s a chance that I’ll be sent back.” Another reaction, “We regularly visit Aruba, but now we do not know what we’re up against; actually we dare not visit the Dimas or phone the Customs, like we say… ‘Let sleeping dogs lie.”

http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_62271.php