Caricom condemns Dominican court ruling on citizenship, defers vote on Dominican membership

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – The Caribbean Community is condemning a court ruling in the Dominican Republic that could strip citizenship from children born to migrants living in the country illegally, and the trade bloc has deferred a Dominican request to become a member.

Caricom's chairwoman, Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, says the group also will review its relationship with the Dominican Republic in other forums.

Haitian President Michel Martelly attended Tuesday's meeting in Trinidad and says he is scheduled to meet with Dominican officials by the end of the week to talk about the court ruling. He notes the meeting will come just days after about 350 Haitians and people of Haitian descent were expelled or volunteered to leave the Dominican Republic following an outbreak of violence along the border.