The DR immigration residency process is much harder now than it was in 2002.Hiring an attorney here and getting the VIP treatment/package so one doesn't have to do backflips in the immigration process is no different than hiring an attorney in Florida, dropping 8 or 9 grand so one can get the charges "resolved". Stuff is just cheaper here.
I did not use a lawyer to sponsor 6 people legally into the US with legal residency. The process was simple and not very expensive.
I did it myself.Less expensive than my residency in the DR in 2002.
So much for your argument on that.