Wyclef, thank you for posting this article. Your facts are correct! I also appreciate the fact that you are keeping the conversation going.
We need to know the history of Haitian migration to the DR to better understand this issue. Haitians started migrating to the DR during the American occupation of that country and that of Haiti in the early 1930’s. they needed cheap labor for a job Dominicans refused to do. Contracts were signed between the 2 governments for decades, the latest being by baby Doc in the 80’s to send Haitian “Braceros” to live in cane plantations called Bateys working in conditions reminiscent of slavery. I visited a Batey and felt like I stepped into a slavery movie. These collections of barracks have no electricity, no basic sewage services, and no potable water. There are no health services, recreational spaces, or schools. The people work 12 hours a day or more and make between $1.00 to $3.34 per ton of cut cane depending on the master oops company. They don’t get money, but a voucher that must be redeemed for food. They live in shacks are taxed and never make enough to return home with something to show for all their suffering. If an accident occurs, they don’t get paid leave.

In 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Trade and Labor Affairs in response to Rev. Hartley’s allegations, “found evidence of apparent and potential violations” of labor law and workers’ rights called for in the free trade agreement signed in 2004 by the United States and the Dominican Republic. The US imports about 220,000 tons of sugar annually from the DR.

— USA Today

The racism is such that many have even been lynched by Dominicans. There would not be a problem if that population remained in the Bateyes and not spread into mainstream DR. “Stay in your Bateyes and cut cane, don’t darken our population” is the sentiment of many Dominicans.

So you see, we’ve paid and are still paying our dues in your country. We’ve been helping your economy since the 1920’s and still are. As a thank you, you portrayed us as an unwanted nuisance, an infestation that must be removed. You are welcome!

Well, since you must deport, deport the braceros also. Let them come home to cut cane and work the land in our country build our own economy so we won’t have to import at the rate of millions a year from you. You cut your own cane.

The real issue is the hundreds of thousands of Haitian cane workers working in the Dominican Republic Sugar cane plantations like slaves. Let’s do something about that!

Your sugar tastes like Haitian sweat so I can’t use it.

No Envy my dear, we have something you will never have: the distinction of being the “First Black Republic in the Western Hemisphere!” We are aware of our economic situation, its culprits and I understand your fear. Once powerful always powerful! . Send us back our people! One day we will surprise the world once more by building a nation that will regain it’s status of Pearl of the Caribbean.

My people, let them talk, let them hate, we deserve it for forgetting who we are and the greatness that lies within us. Come home! Let’s work together to take care of our country. God is on our side.

Just hateful, your ignorant mentality is setting the right example as of why it’s so impossible to communicate in a civilized manner. Sister, we are two poor countries trying to survive, to flourish, and to remain free of domination. I believe there needs to be much more help from the greater potency countries to Haiti so they can develop and sustain a better way of living. DR can’t and is not in the economic position to make this happen by itself. We are trying to thrive as a nation, as a third world country just as Haiti is. To assume the weigh of a nations needs by itself will cave our way of living. A way of living that is already majority poor and deficient as it is.

CU-atian: Haiti INVADED the eastern half of Hispaniola known back then as Santo Domingo current day DR for its own interest. Haiti feared the Spanish, French and other European powers of the time would launch an invasion from the east. DR, like other Spanish colonies at the time, was not seeking independence. Yes we all bleed red and must find a way to get along but let’s call it what it was, an invasion. Haiti invaded the DR twice! Look it up on Wikipedia.

Do not forget, you wouldn’t be free without the help of Haitians. At the end of the day;the color of our skin do not matter….we ALL bleed red.