Immigration Act in English

ACT 48 OF 1920

(November 3)
Official Gazette No. 17.392 and 17.393 of November 3, 1920

Effective Notes Summary
EFFECTIVE NOTES:
- Amended by Act 2 of 1936, published in Official Gazette No. 23,095 of January 28, 1936, "By which
fixed consular rights, establishing the system of charging them and repealing certain
legal provisions. "

THE CONGRESS OF COLOMBIA
Decrees:

SECTION ONE.
Admission of Foreigners.

ARTICLE 1. The territory of Colombia is open to all foreigners, with the exceptions that are made by this Law
ARTICLE 2. The foreigner arriving in Colombia, has the obligation to present on arrival, if this is efectuare by one of the maritime and river ports, Customs employees and Health, the passport
clearly stating their identity, and state whether you have the intention to stay in Colombia and what is the trade or
occupation they will pursue. If cometh one of the border towns with a bordering nation, filled
once these formalities before the first policy of the local authority.

From this we raise a record, which in and duly authenticated copy shall be forwarded to the Ministry of Government.
PARAGRAPH. Excepted from the rule contained in the preceding article sutlers, ie traders
in foodstuffs that make border trade, farmers often need to pass the line, the

priests, doctors, engineers and lawyers to whom the duties of his profession require them to move from
one to another neighboring Republic.
ARTICLE 3. Any foreigner who enters Colombia should be provided with a passport issued by the Agent

Consulate of the Republic at the port of embarkation or at the most next, or the friend of a Nation, if not
any of Colombia, which is scored on the applicant:
a) name and surname;
b) B) Age and sex;
c) Place of birth, nationality or last residence;
d) Trade or profession;
e) Degree of instruction;
f) status;
g) Purpose of your trip to Colombia;
h) Status of Health;
i) Filiation;
j) Certifications of good behavior.

ARTICLE 4. To extend the passport the consular agent, or his substitute, shall have to visit the
health certificate issued by competent medical, behavioral and issued by an individual or entity with
moral authority to certify.

PARAGRAPH. - No need passports Diplomats and Consular Agents, and their retinues.

ARTICLE 5. The passports issued in favor of immigrants who meet the conditions of this Act
not cause any kind right in the office where it is issued.

In each Customs maritime, river or land, and in the office of the former policy that scored the
foreigners entering that place by the Republic.

ARTICLE 6o. The health doctor visit Port regulatory practiced individuals wishing
land and to give a permit will be restricted to the provisions of this Act if each
any one or some who are falling within the exceptions provided by this
act, give notice immediately to the Customs Officer and together we brought to the knowledge of the Captain,
denying permission for landing.

SECTION TWO.

Inadmissibility of aliens.

ARTICLE the 7th. Not allowed to enter the territory of the Republic to foreigners who are in some of the
following cases:

a) People who suffer from serious illnesses, chronic or contagious, such as tuberculosis, leprosy, trachoma (and
similar diseases not subject to quarantine).

Those who are afflicted with acute, severe and contagious diseases, such as eruptive fevers, etc.., Will
admitted to quarantine sick being in charge of the expenses for their attendance.

b) For those who suffer from Mental alienation, it also comprises dementia, mania, paralysis
Overall, the chronic alcoholics, the ataxic, the epileptic, the idiots, the morons, the maimed to
those whose injury prevents work.

In the event that some immigrant families, some member of it falls within the prohibition
of this subsection, the relevant authority may permit entry provided that the other members of the family are
healthy and useful.

Also be excluded from the provisions of this subsection foreigners living in Colombia who having been
absent return to the country within a period not exceeding three years;

c) A professional beggars, the lazy, those who do not have an honorable profession or occupation that allows them to
earn their livelihood, those who traffic in prostitution;

d) Those who advise, ensanen or proclaim the ignorance of the authorities of the Republic or its laws,

or the overthrow by force and violence of his government, anarchists and communists who violate
against the right of property;
e) To those who have been sentenced for crimes infamous reveal great moral perversion, it being understood
so-called political crimes do not fall within this exception, when in the judgment, if
doubt the Supreme Court, should be considered as such, whatever the label that they
of in the country where they were committed; debiendose proceed in this case according to what was stipulated in
existing public treaties.

Matches
Decree 397 1937
SECTION THREE.
Expulsion of aliens.
ARTICLE 8. They may be expelled from the country by executive decree and after the

formation of a supporting record, foreigners who are in any of the following conditions:

a) that after the enactment of this Act have entered the country without completing the formalities prescribed in
thereof;

b). Those who having entered before the enactment of this Act and resided in the country, advise, teach or
proclaim the ignorance of the authorities of the Republic, or its laws, or the overthrow of his government
by force and violence, or the practice of doctrines subversive of social public order, such as anarchy, or
communism, that violates property rights;

c). Those who by their vicious habits or relapses in the crime, proving incorrigible moral depravity;

d). Those who, having been filed in a public treaty and applicable law, leave this
place without authorization of the Government, may not in this case be sent to the country that has applied for
internment;

e). Those who violate the neutrality that are bound, ingiriendose in Colombia's internal politics, either by
through the press, writing or writing political newspapers on matters of this kind, or by the word,
Colombian political speeches about, or joining political societies.

Article 9o. <Article Paragrafo repealed by Article 6 of Act 2 of 1936>

Effective Notes
- Paragrafo Article repealed by Article 6 of Act 2 of 1936, published in Official Gazette No. 23,095
of January 28, 1936
Previous Legislation
Original text of Law 48 of 1920:
Article 9o. The declaration of expulsion will be made by Government decree endorsed by the
Minister of Government, to be published in the Official Journal.

Given in Bogota to October 30 of 1920.
The President of the Senate,

MIGUEL ARROYO TEN

The Speaker of the House of Representatives,

GOMEZ JESUS ??GONZALEZ

The Secretary of the Senate,

JULIO D. PORTOCARRERO

The Secretary of the House of Representatives,

FERNANDO RESTREPO BRICENO

Executive. Bogota, November 3, 1920
Published and executed

MARCO FIDEL SUAREZ

The Minister of Government,

CROW LUIS MARQUEZ