Cabarete Diaries, part 2

[JD Jones]

Those documents are more than enough for a "casual" street level interaction here in the DR. Officials can appear to be pretty dumb when they want to be. The same cat and mouse game goes on in other colder countries. The cops ask for or about more information than they are entitled to. If you offer it up, that's your decision.

We, as do the authorities, know that JCE doesn't issue cedulas for longer than the validity period of a residency card. If you have a valid cedula, you have the other as well. It is up to you to exert your "rights" (I use that term loosely) in these situations. You are required to identify yourself and demonstrate that you are not currently committing a crime. Beyond that, anything you do either makes things better or worse.


 

Umm, you may want to recheck that.

I seem to recall having a cedula long before I got my residency card.

A long time ago, and my memory is terrible (can't remember what I had for breakfast) but I think you can have a cedula without the residency card.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

Remember where you are 

For sure. I was commenting solely on immigration checks. I know these officials travel in packs with different depts. often in attendance. Immigration, as a general observation, in light of their limited scope of operation, won't generally jump into the deep end without sufficient justifiable reason to do so. 

The PN on a moto in downtown Sosua are a different creature and just love inviting you back to their place for lunch. If you go voluntarily, chances are you won't enjoy the meal. 

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

A long time ago, and my memory is terrible (can't remember what I had for breakfast) but I think you can have a cedula without the residency card.

If that was the case in the past, it is no longer so. 

 

[Alan Read]

If that was the case in the past, it is no longer so. 

 

Sorry - that is not correct - we picked up cedulas in SD 2 weeks ago, still waiting on Residency cards.

 

[sylindr]

No you can't, and they have the same number on them!

 

[SantiagoDR]

When I got mine it was because they need you to pick up your cedula and come back to get your residency card because they need the cedula number for the residency card.

Did you forget to go back for the residency card?

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

 

Sorry - that is not correct - we picked up cedulas in SD 2 weeks ago, still waiting on Residency cards.

Sigh, everything has to be a fight on DR1.

You picked up paperwork at immigration so that you could go to JCE and get your Cedula. You were supposed to return to Immigration with your new Cedula to receive your residency card. That sealed envelope you handed over to the nice lady at JCE contained your approved residency details with instructions to JCE to issue you a Cedula.

Until you return to immigration and present your Cedula, you won't receive your residency card. Technically you are now a resident, you just don't have the card to show. You don't need the residency card until you try to leave and return to the country. 

 

[Meemselle]

I must have been on the wrong line at the Center For All Things Dominican Kiosk that exists in our dreams, but I was under the impression that one only secures a cedula when/once one is/becomes a resident.

 

[Meemselle]

Sigh, everything has to be a fight on DR1.



 

It's not a fight unless you make it one. It's a discussion.

Frustrating at times, for sure. I am constantly reminding myself: Tranquila. Tranquila.

 

[cobraboy]

Umm, you may want to recheck that.

I seem to recall having a cedula long before I got my residency card.

A long time ago, and my memory is terrible (can't remember what I had for breakfast) but I think you can have a cedula without the residency card.

It's the other way around. You get the residencia card, then go to JCE for the cedula.

 

[sylindr]

I must have been on the wrong line at the Center For All Things Dominican Kiosk that exists in our dreams, but I was under the impression that one only secures a cedula when/once one is/becomes a resident.

Correct, you take your residency card to get your cedula

 

[jd426]

Are they trying to find specific people, or are they really stupid enough to try to intimidate people who are staying MORE than 30 days, and who don't have a return ticket they can prove ON the SPOT. ? because that would be really foolish, and we can easily find another place to spend our Vacation $. Are they trying to destroy Gringo Businesses as well ?
This is all very mysterious . but then again, its the DR.. so applying Logic is pointless.

 

[cavok]

Chapter 458 (Immigration crackdown in the DR)

Immigration came into Friend's restaurant here in Cabarete yesterday morning. They walked straight up to Captain Billy’s (Retired NYC captain) table and asked him this in Spanish:

"How long you been in the DR?"

"26-days" Billy answered in his limited Spanish.

"Do you have a return ticket?"

"Yes, i have one," he answered.

"Can we see it?"

"It's an electronic ticket. It's not a paper ticket."

At this point, the Immigration officers, confused by an “electronic ticket” went and got another immigration officer who spoke English. Meanwhile, four Immigration officers stood around Captain Billy’s table.

So, here’s Captain Billy waiting around for an immigration officer who both speaks English and understands what an “Electronic” ticket is while a restaurant full of expats and Tourists are staring over at Captain Billy (wondering what kind of fugitive he is) as the Immigration officers—who all have their badges out and hanging down around their necks—and with the words “Immigration” clearly spelled out on the back of their jackets, surrounding Captain Billy’s table…who, by the way, they do not know that he is a retired NYC Captain.

Meanwhile, while everyone is sitting around waiting for more Immigration officers, and staring at Captain Billy with great anticipation, Billy starts contemplating the absurd situation.

Let’s back up and recap…

You got to love the Dominican efficiency: coming up to a table, not speaking any English, speaking to a foreigner in Spanish, not understanding what an “electronic” ticket is, and expecting someone to be carrying around their return ticket in their back pocket, etc. The absurdity is through the ****ing roof! It's a three Stooges episode. It’s a comedy farce at its highest absurd level.

Suddenly, Captain Billy remembers that he has his Ipad with him. While the Immigration officers went to get someone who speaks English, Billy remembers that he has his electronic ticket Info in his email. He immediately went to his email (imagine if the Wifi had gone down at this point from one of the many, many daily Power Outages?) Captain Billy was lucky there was electricity. He immediately pulled up his electronic ticket Info and showed the Immigration officers surrounding him (about 5 men) the date he arrived, and the date he was leaving the DR. They thanked him and left Friends restaurant—walking past a restaurant full of expats and other Immigrants who were sitting around drinking coffee and horrified by what they thought was a criminal fugitive on the loose.

Which begs the question...why only approach one single person inside a packed restaurant full of expats, when meanwhile, ignoring dozens of others expats and tourists sitting at nearby tables?

It's almost comical in its absurdity.

Frank

Who is Captain Billy? Is he a business owner in Cabarete?

 

[jd426]

Ah, I see now.. this may be about something much "deeper" than we thought ....?

interesting. all i can say is wow.. the DR really is run by some slime balls .
i wont theorize any more .. but Frank12 knows exactly what i mean .

 

[Alan Read]

Sigh, everything has to be a fight on DR1.

You picked up paperwork at immigration so that you could go to JCE and get your Cedula. You were supposed to return to Immigration with your new Cedula to receive your residency card. That sealed envelope you handed over to the nice lady at JCE contained your approved residency details with instructions to JCE to issue you a Cedula.

Until you return to immigration and present your Cedula, you won't receive your residency card. Technically you are now a resident, you just don't have the card to show. You don't need the residency card until you try to leave and return to the country. 

We applied under PNRE and went from POP to SD JCE in July - came back without cedula but with paper and instructions to telephone in 1 month - no results - 2 weeks ago went to JCE with immigration specialist lawyer and collected cedulas. Then went first to Immigration and then told to go back to POP PNRE office - more forms filled in and now waiting for contact from them that residency cards are ready.

 

[Garyexpat]

Frank,
doesn't it seem like they were looking for someone who fit Captain Billy's appearance? Since they passed by all the other foreigners?
I was thinking about heading up for the superbowl but if I happen to also be unlucky enough to look like someone they are pursing I'd rather pass. Keep us updated please if anymore details come out on this issue.
thanks

 

[chico bill]

Frank,
doesn't it seem like they were looking for someone who fit Captain Billy's appearance? Since they passed by all the other foreigners?
I was thinking about heading up for the superbowl but if I happen to also be unlucky enough to look like someone they are pursing I'd rather pass. Keep us updated please if anymore details come out on this issue.
thanks

They won't work on Sunday and I expect being surrounded by 150 drunken football fanatics would intimidate 10 immigration officers. Should we all take the vow to stand up to immigration until the game is over ? Maybe we call ourselves Falcons and take a Patriot pledge - we go on offense ?
Frank how about an Gringo immigration drink special ? Something highly alcoholic and bittersweet perhaps. Along the lines of a White Russian, Call it a "Dominican Sling"

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

Alan, I don't know what PNRE stands for and I know better than to take an inflexible stand based on any process in this country. I am more than prepared to acquiesce that your process appears to be different than mine or that of others. 

I do however, maintain my claim that JCE will not initially issue a cedula without a document from Immigration attesting to the eligibility of the individual for that document. Usually, the cedula is approved, collected and then the residency card is printed and handed to the individual. The issuance of your cedula would seem to indicate that your residency has been approved and finalized but for some reason you don't have the card yet. 

More to my original point, one who does not qualify for residency, or who has not applied for residency of some sort, is not entitled to a cedula. If one can produce such a document on demand, then it would be a fair assumption that they are a defacto resident notwithstanding what other pieces of plastic they may or may not posses at that particular time. 

 

[chico bill]

Correct, you take your residency card to get your cedula

I got both on the same day and renewed them each year on the same day. Hire someone who knows the ropes, the immigration people and pay an "expediting fee". In and out of both offices in 5 hours, if you have done all your health, photos, certified proof of income and bank statements, and local letter of vouching Dominican (Now changed to $100 extra insurance fee I think), marriage notarization, criminal background and drug tests, with all the apostiles. PM me if you want a name. Expect the first one to cost you as much as a nice month's vacation.

 

[cavok]

Alan, I don't know what PNRE stands for and I know better than to take an inflexible stand based on any process in this country. I am more than prepared to acquiesce that your process appears to be different than mine or that of others. 

I do however, maintain my claim that JCE will not initially issue a cedula without a document from Immigration attesting to the eligibility of the individual for that document. Usually, the cedula is approved, collected and then the residency card is printed and handed to the individual. The issuance of your cedula would seem to indicate that your residency has been approved and finalized but for some reason you don't have the card yet. 

More to my original point, one who does not qualify for residency, or who has not applied for residency of some sort, is not entitled to a cedula. If one can produce such a document on demand, then it would be a fair assumption that they are a defacto resident notwithstanding what other pieces of plastic they may or may not posses at that particular time. 

That was the foreigner nationalization and regularization plan. In most cases, you have to get your residency card before your cedula. That's why it's important for anyone posting about what they are doing at DGM to mention what their status is and which residency they are applying for. Sure helps avoid a lot of confusion.