the basis of birth in the territory (birthright citizenship).The ruling had a retroactive effect and
deprived nationality to DR residents born after 1929 who were born to Haitian undocumented
parents. As a result, many Dominican-born persons with Haitian ancestry were rendered stateless.
Most of those stripped of Dominican nationality also lacked Haitian citizenship because Haiti did
not recognize dual citizenship until 2012 (ISI 2014, 73; DOS 2017d, 13).
In 2014, the DR’s president enacted a law aimed at restoring their DR citizenship and re-issuing
identity documents to those born in the DR between June 16, 1929, and April 18, 2007, whose
undocumented parents had registered them in the country’s civil registry (known as “Group
A”) (DOS 2017d, 13). Following an administrative process, Group A individuals would again be
recognized as Dominican citizens from birth. The government also permitted those born during
the same period whose parents never registered in the civil registry (known as “Group B”) to apply
for legal residency within a 180-day period, after which they could apply to naturalize. However,
many in Group A experienced difficulties and delays in the recognition of their citizenship, and
many in Group B did not apply within the 180-day window (ibid., 14). As such, despite these
reforms, many DR-born persons of Haitian descent remain stateless.
Children born in the Bahamas with foreign parents are not automatically entitled to Bahamian
citizenship (ISI 2014, 74). Such children can apply for Bahamian citizenship when they are 18 years
old and they must present proof of birth and residence, among other documents.
Bahamian-born children of Haitian descent, with foreign parents, often experience discrimination
and an attenuated citizenship process (ibid.). They also often have difficulties providing
documentation of their eligibility for citizenship (DOS 2017a, 9-10). Some may face difficulties
securing Haitian citizenship due to Haitian documentation requirements (IRB 2013).
The children of married non-Bahamian parents can apply for citizenship after they turn 19 years
old, “but it is granted at the discretion of state authorities, and not by right” (ISI 2014, 74). Those
who miss their eligibility window may have significant difficulties claiming Bahamian citizenship
(DOS 2017a, 9-10).
Bahamian-born children with foreign parents, particularly those whose parents are from Haiti,
are potentially stateless or potentially at risk of statelessness.
In addition, Bahamian women cannot confer Bahamian nationality to children born abroad or
to non-Bahamian spouses. Children that are unable to acquire their father’s citizenship or the
citizenship of their birth country are potentially stateless or potentially at risk of statelessness
(Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights and Institute for Statelessness and Inclusion 2017).
This section discusses several populations in the United States that are potentially stateless or
potentially at risk of statelessness, but are not included as separate categories in CMS’s estimates.
These groups include:
•
“Doubly undocumented” individuals who lack documentation of birth or nationality in both
the US and their countries of origin;
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