Dominican Consulate in NY Launches “Coffee with the Consul” and Supports Arajet as the National Airline

New York: As a sign of unprecedented institutional openness and commitment to the Dominican diaspora, the Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York, Jesús Antonio Vázquez Martínez (Chú), has launched a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between the consulate and the Dominican community in the United States. One of the most innovative efforts is the program titled “Coffee with the Consul”, in which the consul visits various counties to directly hear the concerns, challenges, and needs of Dominicans to develop concrete solutions and responsive public policies.

Key measures include opening the consulate on weekends, implementing mobile consulates in multiple counties, and launching a campaign against real estate scams that have severely impacted the community. One of Consul Vázquez’s priorities is to reconnect young Dominicans born in the United States with their roots. A new program will take the top 30 Dominican students, along with their parents, to the Dominican Republic to foster cultural pride and national identity.

Dual Citizenship

Programs promoting dual citizenship and university exchange between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic are also underway, providing legal, educational, and economic opportunities to youth in the diaspora. According to Article 18, Section 2 of the Dominican Constitution, children born abroad to a Dominican mother or father are recognized as Dominican nationals, provided they formally opt for Dominican citizenship through legal procedures.

This right is supported by Law No. 1683 on Nationality and its supplementary regulations, which govern the process of opting for citizenship, registration, and consular documentation. These measures ensure that children of the diaspora have full access to their nationality of origin, with the same rights as those born on Dominican soil. To exercise this right, parents must register the child’s birth at the corresponding Dominican consulate, where a foreign birth certificate is issued. Once registered, individuals may obtain their national ID and passport. This process strengthens cultural and legal ties between the Dominican Republic and its diaspora, fostering integration for future generations.

Support for Air Connectivity and Arajet

The consulate has also played a key role in supporting the Dominican airline Arajet, which now offers direct and affordable flights between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. This initiative not only reduces the historically high travel costs, especially during peak seasons but has also revived national pride in having a competitive Dominican airline.

“Arajet’s competitive fares will boost the flow of visitors and investments to the Dominican Republic, strengthening one of the pillars of our national economy. This route will bring more foreign currency, more jobs, and more development to the country,” said Consul Jesús Vásquez at the launch of the Santo Domingo–Newark–NY route.

Arajet has become a symbol of national pride and a vital connector between the Dominican Republic and the rest of the Americas. With low fares, an efficient low-cost model, and a modern fleet, Arajet has democratized air travel, allowing more Dominicans abroad to reunite with their families and deepen cultural and economic ties with their homeland. Its regional expansion and commitment to service quality position Arajet as a new emblem of Caribbean development and integration.

A Broader Social Commitment

Consul Vázquez Martínez emphasized that his role extends beyond issuing official documents. “Our commitment goes far beyond passports and registrations. It’s about addressing the real issues affecting our people: real estate fraud, airline abuse, and travel or documentation barriers,” he said. In collaboration with both Dominican and U.S. authorities, the consulate has advanced concrete actions to prevent fraud while advocating for better oversight of airlines and regulation of airfare, particularly during critical periods for Dominican families.

The consul also highlighted the leading role of the Dominican community in New York in areas such as politics, education, commerce, beauty, fashion, law enforcement, and sports. “We have council members, congresspeople, city officials, successful entrepreneurs, and community leaders who often don’t receive the recognition they deserve,” said Chú.

In conclusion, Vázquez reaffirmed that his mission is guided by a deep love for the homeland and a firm commitment to Dominicans abroad. “As long as I hold this position, I have to be present wherever the community needs me, listening, acting, and building lasting bridges between our diaspora and the Dominican Republic,” he stated.

The “Coffee with the Consul” program and other initiatives mark a significant step toward a more engaged, people-centered, and responsive diplomacy.