Haitians in Chile protest embassy fees for migration papers

Haitian nationals protested outside their country's embassy in Santiago on Saturday against alleged irregular fees charged for criminal record certificates essential for immigration regularization, prompting a police response after demonstrators entered the building, according to Chilean media reports.

Embassy demonstration

More than 100 protesters gathered to denounce difficulties in obtaining the documents. David Antoine, spokesperson for the Haitian community in Chile, described the situation as "very worrying and shameful," according to Radio Universidad de Chile. He noted that around 500 people had visited the embassy seeking the certificates, adding that "many people" expected to obtain them but were being rejected.

Fraud allegations

Demonstrators alleged that embassy officials demanded exorbitant payments for paperwork that proved invalid or never materialized. Protesters told BioBioChile that they paid up to 500,000 Chilean pesos ($540) for the certificates, with some applicants claiming they received nothing in return despite the steep cost.

Migration hurdles

The certificates are required by Chile’s National Migration Service as part of the regularization process for Haitian nationals residing in the country. One demonstrator told BioBioChile that applicants had secured their Chilean criminal record checks but remained unable to obtain the necessary documentation from their homeland, leaving their legal status in limbo. Carabineros, Chile’s national police force, intervened after protesters entered the embassy building on Saturday, according to the BioBioChile digital news portal.