The resistance of the people who prefer to call it a fee as opposed to a fine not withstanding...
The past is the past and the future will be different. Change is coming as sure as is the grim reaper. The facts are indisputable. To be here in the DR, foreigners are supposed to have "status" affording by some sort of visa - As a tourist, retired resident, employee, student, missionary or prophet.
In the past and for the most part even today, there exists a loophole that allows people to remain in country for as long as they want. They are permitted to leave only after paying some amount for the privileged of being here longer than their piece of papers says.
A fine or a fee...that's semantics. The cop who hands you a ticket for speeding may say it is a fine or you may claim it is a fee for using the roadway at speeds faster than other people. Who cares? The amount is paid and everyone carries on. Few will stand before a judge to argue that is their "right" to speed just as it would be foolhardy to proclaim here that it is your "right" to be in this country for as long as you see fit because that tourist visa that allowed you to enter this country, clearly states it is valid for only 30 days. No right thinking person can honestly claim that the stated 30 day period of validity is just a suggestion. Ergo, no one can stay as long as they want with impunity.
There may well be a lot of days left where an exit fee may remain an option. Eventually though, everyone without status will be labelled illegal. Everyone without status will find it increasing difficult to live here outside the system. Eventually a new norm will supplant the old one, and when that happens there will be no more discussion of fees vs fines.