just one correction, mongoose777,
1st world country citizens, or the ones on a tourist card, can NOT come and live here in DR as long a as they please,
that's the fine lil line to draw.
we are all allowed to Visit and spend out money as long as we please, but the tourist card does not allow to overstay to LIVE here.
the purchased and at hand return flight is the key differing requisit, and a valid Passport of course.
without those 2 things, nobody would believe a overstayer on the streets that he/she is a overstayer,
and it rightfully would not be believed, the absense of one of those 2 makes the difference between "have a nice day, Sir" and a processing for deportation.
of course such will always be abused by some, like every good meant rule of any country's laws, not a biggie, as the number of such abusing folks is a small one, not a significant crowd which would require to take care of.
as for Mexico, DR and Mexico run long time good relations i guess, at least we have here on the East a singificantly sized Mexican Community, a old one which been here long before americans new where Punat Cana is located on a Map.
can't tell about other areas in case of mexican's presence, but here i know some since my 1st day on the Isle.
Mike