Antigua and Barbuda’s Immigration Department has taken a landmark step toward greater transparency by holding its first bilingual forum with the Dominican community, aimed at clarifying residency and citizenship procedures.

Friday’s event, _“Audience with Immigration: Residency and Citizenship Procedures,”_ featured Attorney General Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, Dominican Republic Ambassador Yolanda Alexandra Victoria, and Consul General Joaquin Diaz-Lopez.

Chief Immigration Officer Katrina Yearwood described the forum as an effort to combat misinformation caused by language barriers, noting that Dominicans form one of the four largest non-national communities in the country.

Senior officers detailed the processes for residency, citizenship, and e-visas, explaining documentation requirements and addressing misconceptions that often delay applications.

During a heated Q&A session, participants raised concerns about long delays and poor communication, with one woman sharing that her husband had waited more than a year for an update after paying thousands for permits and filing for citizenship.

Benjamin said he would raise the issue of amnesty for residents with irregular status at Cabinet but made no commitments. Officials encouraged affected individuals to contact the department directly rather than rely on intermediaries.

The forum, held with real-time translation, underscored the government’s new focus on accessibility and inclusion. It also highlighted the Dominican community’s vital role in Antigua and Barbuda’s economy — and their growing demand for fairness and clarity in immigration policy.