Hillbilly, I live here in Santo Domingo full-time.
I did not have a return ticket. I had my cedula only. As I said, I just told them that it wasn't my fault, but I didn't have my residency card, I only had my cedula. The cedula, the Residency Card, and your Dominican driver's license all use the same number.
Maybe I am lucky, or maybe I am a better salesman. I used the same sales pitch on my way out, and then again when I returned. Both stations had two officers, and neither one blinked an eye, they just got me through the system so I could go home.
With AA, I just distracted the agent by complimenting her on her nails, and she just glowed and smiled and waved them in the air until she issued my boarding passes. She had no more questions.
Don't worry, I will go today and get my new Residency Card issued to avoid any future problems.