The History Of The Dominican Republic

Recent developments in the Eastern region of the Hispaniola Island requires that you be briefed on the current issue between Dominicans and Haitians before your departure. As of October 2013, The Supreme Court of the Dominican Republic has ruled that anyone born after 1929 will be denied Dominican nationality permitting they do not have at least one parent of Dominican blood due to a constitutional clause that declares all others to be in the country illegally. With this being said, Dominican relations with Haiti, a neighboring country responsible for providing the most immigrants to the Dominican Republic, has been strained. As of today, international organizations such as the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) has estimated that over 200,000 Dominicans of Haitian descent will be affected by the ruling. Subsequent conflicts in the country have surfaced as both Dominican mobs and Haitian protestors have gone into the streets addressing the issue with locals.

While working with Project HOPE at the local schools and infirmaries, it is important that you understand the dynamics of Dominican society and the relations between the neighboring countries prior to your departure as they may affect your daily activities. This issue brief will cover the general history of the two countries and their opposing development over the years. It will then go into an explanation of cultural norms and what to expect when arriving in the country. Finally, the last section will provide a detailed explanation of the current issues and immigration policies in the Dominican Republic that has affected its people and social climate.

BACKGROUND

Originating from their colonial days, both the Dominican Republic and Haiti have been in con...

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...even traveled to Haiti and don’t identify with the language or culture. Furthermore, obtaining Haitian citizenship also proves to be difficult for those who might have to migrate, as law requires proof of Haitian descent. For many Dominican locals that is near impossible due to a lack of resources.

In conclusion, Haitian relations with Dominican Republic have largely been strained for years and can be attributed to two main events: Haitian occupation of the Hispaniola Island and the Parsley Rebellion of 1937. Both events play a significant part in the foundation of Dominican resentment against Haitians. And as the laws have finally caught up with society, the nature of their relationship has worsened. Therefore it is crucial to understand these ideas before your trip to Santo Domingo, as your group will interact with both Dominicans of Spanish and Haitian descent.