Bernardo Vega, a well known Dominican historian and economist, writing in the Listín Diario, favors what he describes as the peaceful and civilized repatriation of illegal Haitians living in the DR in order to reduce the presence of Haitians in the DR. He says that the ongoing unchecked massive immigration of indigent Haitians will eventually promote undesirable anti-Haitian feelings in the DR. He says his three step plan is motivated by political, economic and moral reasons, and that his plan does not reflect racial or social prejudices. 1. Voluntary return. Study the program implemented by the government of Bahamas to deport Haitian immigrants. The Bahamians relied on religious groups that managed money and transportation means that were offered to those that voluntarily accepted to return to Haiti. 2. Implementation of fines on companies hiring illegal Haitians. He points out that at the present time, the Dominican government is the leading contractor of illegal Haitians. Vega explains that the use of illegal Haitians delays the transformation of the economy, maintains production schemes that should be rapidly being replaced and stops the improvement of real salary levels. At the same time of the implementation of fines, the program for the voluntary return to Haiti would still be in place. 3. Forceful deportation. Religious and human rights groups as well as representatives of the Haitian government would be involved in this program. To remain in the DR, Haitians would have to produce documentation proving they are here legally. Successful deportation programs have been carried out in Mexico, Bahamas and Cuba, he says. The government of Cuba deported 30,000 Haitians and Jamaicans from 1933-38 without any international repercussions after taking the decision that Cubans should cut their own sugar cane. Vega concludes that a program such as he suggests requires the political will of the government, political parties, civil society and businessmen in general in order to avoid extorsions and abuses. He comments that the present way of dealing with Haitian migration with sporadic raids and deportations will only eventually lead to the creation of major problems. He says that more new immigrants just replace those that are deported. He said it is a known fact that Haitians that pay bribes are not deported. An estimated 500,000 to one million illegal Haitians have relocated to the DR. The Dominican government maintains a position that it cannot afford the social expense of the hundreds of thousands of indigent Haitians that are relocating to the DR, primarily due to increase in violence and lack of job opportunities in Haiti. Vega is a former ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Washington, D.C. and governor of the Central Bank.
