Mixed Feelings

[LindseyKaufman]

I just cannot take a stand on the Haiti/Dominican Republic immigration problems and those of my home country. I am a rule follower. I believe if there are laws and we decide not to follow them, then we must accept the consequences. But here in the DR, you and I know that laws are often just suggestions and if you are clever enough there is always a way to get around them. I bet if most of you are honest with yourselves, at least once here, you chose not to follow the law. I know that I am one of those persons, even though I am also a rule follower. So the question is not black or white.

Last weekend, the authorities did a sweep of Jamao, taking Haitians out of their homes at gunpoint. Working Haitians. I had a Haitian gardener and in our little school we had a Haitian child whose mother had no income. We gave the child a scholarship and required the mother to come to prepare snacks daily. Every couple of weeks I would give her 1,000 pesos. The little girl was one of the smartest in the school.

When the authorities did their roundup, the mother and daughter hid under their bed. On Friday, the police walked back and forth in front of our school. The mother hid in the bathroom. The police knew better (I hope) than to enter a preschool and fish her out.

So some of the Haitians, including this woman, her child, and my gardener and his family of 5 arranged for two trucks to take them back to Haiti. The drivers of the trucks are grossly overcharging the Haitians, but I guess they would say they are taking a great risk. They chose to pay for the truck ( with help from you know who) because if captured by the authorities, they would be bused to Santo Domingo and then dropped on in Puerta Principe where all the gangs are centered.

Just now this morning, the woman sent me a WhatsApp message. She said the truck is here. Goodbye. And now, my empathy kicks in. The Pope was right. We are all just human beings struggling through life. Some of us were fortunate enough to be born with the right color of skin. Some of us were born in countries where life was much easier. Some of us own our home and cars. And others are not so fortunate.

I do not know why I am writing this. I guess I am just troubled and feel bad.

 

[chico bill]

I think we all count our blessings too infrequently.

The problem is exasperated because for years illegal immigration was ignored and really encouraged, even ran as a business by the military and police.

Then after allowing the immigrants in, letting them establish a home and work for peanuts in construction, house helpers, gardeners, hotel cleaners and garbage men a few grandstanding politicians decide they must leave. Protesting Haitians only turn a hot spotlight on themselves (almost suicidal).

The constant fear Haitians have of not knowing when they'll be sent back to the cauldron of insanity is a burden I doubt we 1st world immigrants could even bear.

 

[NanSanPedro]

I have no clue what to say Lindsey. It really hurts though, I know.

 

[SKY]

First World Countries are no different than the DR. Just look North..................

 

[keepcoming]

Sometimes people get too caught up in the "political" and forget that many Haitians are just trying to make a better life for them and their family. Just like many others, they are just trying to survive. Not saying it is right or wrong, just another side of the situation.

 

[chico bill]

I see some who just say "off with their heads" - Deport them all. These are the ones who never get to know them as persons - so many of the Haitians I have befriended or hired are honest and decent people. Not looking to get rich or scam you - just live a simple life day to day.
A meal or two per day and a dry place to sleep, enough money to buy gas for the cooktop and medicine for their children when needed. I can fault anyone for this.
Since the cost of living, even for just the basics, has become so expensive there are homeless and down & out persons and it is an expanding problem.
Truly we must have some sympathy - as long as they are trying to make it without being a burden on others, beggars, or thieves and not drug addicts or alcoholics.
Single out the thieves and drug sellers and deport every last one or them.

 

[josh2203]

Since the cost of living, even for just the basics, has become so expensive there are homeless and down & out persons and it is an expanding problem.

As this is a global problem really at the moment, what really bugs me is that at least partially, the inflation and cost of living are "artificially created problems" if you will. What I mean by this is that there has not been any natural disaster or anything that would have caused a shortage of this and that, but rather due to political decisions/agenda/whatever in various countries throughout the world.

 

[dulce]

There but for the grace of God go I.

 

[drisforme]

For Haitians who entered the country legally and have an expired work permit, there is a legal process in place to get a work permit.
I went through this for my maid. Since the beginning of the month, she has had a temporary work permit valid for one year.

It was a bit costly, but we did not blink once to support the cost for somebody who has always been serious in her work.

Peace.

 

[LindseyKaufman]

Both my gardener and the mother assistant en our colegio tried to get documents to be legal. They paid the costs. Took time off work to go to Santiago and Santo Domingo and time passes- months and months and they received nothing.

 

[drisforme]

Both my gardener and the mother assistant en our colegio tried to get documents to be legal. They paid the costs. Took time off work to go to Santiago and Santo Domingo and time passes- months and months and they received nothing.

Sounds like the lawyer did not do his job, which is to get an appointment at the immigration department in Santo Domingo and specify the documents required. The temporary work permit, which looks like a CEDULA, is given on the same day as the appointment.