12 yrs living here I’ve never been stopped by immigration or even asked to show my ID.
- Thread starter LindseyKaufman
- Start date
Mixed Feelings
One day while walking my dogs we came across two motorcycle PN police grabbing the shirt of a local Haitian gardener. He works for a neighbor with several large homes and he was carrying dog food for the owner's Dogos he keeps as guard dogs.
I walked up to them, with my German neighbor & 5 dogs alongside me, and we said: We know him, he's a good guy, he lives here, works here and I asked them to let him go feed the dogs. The police protested they needed to take him in. These same police had arrested and shaken him down for 5000 pesos twice before. They wanted those pesos. Then I said let me go get his boss. I think the thought of a yet nother foreigner coming into the fray changed their minds.
Eventually after us standing there for several minutes and my dogs circling the big policeman let go his grip and he was freed. I haven't seen those same police back since then.
Needless to say the Haitian was thrilled.
I walked up to them, with my German neighbor & 5 dogs alongside me, and we said: We know him, he's a good guy, he lives here, works here and I asked them to let him go feed the dogs. The police protested they needed to take him in. These same police had arrested and shaken him down for 5000 pesos twice before. They wanted those pesos. Then I said let me go get his boss. I think the thought of a yet nother foreigner coming into the fray changed their minds.
Eventually after us standing there for several minutes and my dogs circling the big policeman let go his grip and he was freed. I haven't seen those same police back since then.
Needless to say the Haitian was thrilled.
I was responding to Cristo Rey's post where he said "The sweeps are not based on the color of their skin.".
Agreed it is easy to spot Haitians, because their skin color and features are more African than black Dominicans. Once they speak, even if their Spanish is good they are apparent.
But for anyone to say it has nothing to do with the color of their skin is absurd. That's how they are singled out, along with their features. And they are much smaller than most American blacks, so that differentiates them too.
My intention is not to create controversy or dissention. I am merely recounting what I know to be taking place.
My black Dominican friend has been stopped multiple times by immigration. She speaks as a Dominican because she was born and educated here but until she shows her cedula they still question her. As others have said, I have never been stopped by immigration - could it be because I don't look Haitian?
Have you see the rehabilitation shops at Cecot?
Or how about this:
Exactly what a prison should be.
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Even though El Salvador's prison is a "hot topic", it is not the topic of this thread. Sorry but stay on topic please everyone.
Years ago a Black American here on an extended vacation was stopped many times by the police thinking he was Haitian. Once I had to tell them that he was from USA. Once he was taken to jail and he had to call his white wife to bring his passport. So, it does happen. But really, the guy was a little arrogant and flaunted that he had money and I think the police saw dollar signs when he passed.
I don't look at it like I'm being targeted or harassed. I see as fair enforcement (which is rare down here) with the immigration officers doing exactly what they are being paid to do.
They are very active here in center of Santiago in the early morning hours 6, 7, 8am. I had to show them my cedula more than once. If you are ever out at this time of the morning (I often am) taking a walk or maybe heading to the local cafe for fresh cup of coffee here in the center of town you will likely encounter them at some point.
I understand some of you live/ work/ play in areas where they aren't as active. No doubt we all have different experiences down here but don't ignore the reality of others.
this is highly unusual. As soon as he speaks, they know he is a tourist. Why does he need to call his "white wife", did you witness this or are you listening to his tall tale?
So, your dark Dominican girl friend is educated and speaks Dominican Spanish, yet she must show her i.d. Unless she is walking around Sosua or B.C at night this is hard to believe.
You are the most skeptical person I have ever known. She does not walk around Sosua or BC at night. Why should I lie about her being stopped? You think you know everything but it seems you really know nothing of what goes on here, living in your ivory tower.
Sceptical is far too nice 😉
It's interesting to see how some get away with murder while others get interrogated for mild and informative posts
When we have taken our annual school trip to Bahia las Aguillas and the rest of the south we are often boarded by the military and immigration. We have several teachers that are darker than the majority of Haitians. They have never asked anyone for ID. They are greeted with a bunch of beaming smiles and quickly say have a good day and leave.
A short snippit in English (for the non-spanish speaking folks) from Listin Diario.
"Agents from the General Directorate of Immigration (DGM) raided a Chinese store on Duarte Avenue yesterday, Friday, where they arrested an unknown number of undocumented Haitian employees."
It's no secret the Chinese on Av. Duarte down in the Capital employee a lot of Haitians but this is the first time I've read about them getting raided by immigration.
listindiario.com
"Agents from the General Directorate of Immigration (DGM) raided a Chinese store on Duarte Avenue yesterday, Friday, where they arrested an unknown number of undocumented Haitian employees."
It's no secret the Chinese on Av. Duarte down in the Capital employee a lot of Haitians but this is the first time I've read about them getting raided by immigration.
Migración irrumpe en tienda china y expulsa a empleados haitianos indocumentados
Uno de los empleados estimó que fueron expulsados aproximadamente 20 haitianos indocumentados, de los cuales al menos 10 entraron corriendo a la tienda al ver el vehículo de migración estacionado afuera, en un intento de esconderse.
The Chinese don't care. Maybe they can bring in some Uyghurs to replace them and pay them nothing like they do in ChinaA short snippit in English (for the non-spanish speaking folks) from Listin Diario.
"Agents from the General Directorate of Immigration (DGM) raided a Chinese store on Duarte Avenue yesterday, Friday, where they arrested an unknown number of undocumented Haitian employees."
It's no secret the Chinese on Av. Duarte down in the Capital employee a lot of Haitians but this is the first time I've read about them getting raided by immigration.
Migración irrumpe en tienda china y expulsa a empleados haitianos indocumentados
Uno de los empleados estimó que fueron expulsados aproximadamente 20 haitianos indocumentados, de los cuales al menos 10 entraron corriendo a la tienda al ver el vehículo de migración estacionado afuera, en un intento de esconderse.
I think we can agree the Chinese are not an example to follow but then who are nowadays. However we can't do much about them becoming the main economy and superpower. It is inevitable.