At least one Dominican is among dozens of Caribbean-born teachers recruited by the New York City Board of Education ten years ago to teach in public schools in the Big Apple, who are still in legal limbo in the system – unable to secure green cards.
The New York-based, The Black Institute, has announced that while some 500 Caribbean teachers recruited by the Board of Education have secured permanent residency status after more than ten years of waiting, 200 more are still awaiting the adjustment of status.
Most of the teachers, 111 of them, are from Jamaica. 39 are from Guyana and 20, from Trinidad & Tobago. Thirteen are from the Dominican Republic; 8 from Barbados; 6 from St. Lucia; 3 from St. Vincent & the Grenadines and one each from the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Dominica.
The Black Institute said although Caribbean teachers make up 61.5 percent of all teachers in New York City who have achieved permanent residency to date, the rest are stuck in limbo.
Many of these teachers have been telling their stories to different news organizations, saying the delay has been very stressful for them and their families.
Yasmin Bailey-Stewart, a Jamaican-born teacher in a Brooklyn, NY school, told News Americas that she lives a “nightmare daily” because of the toll the immigration woes have had on her son.
According to Bailey-Stewart, her son has now aged out of the immigration sponsorship category because of the lengthy delay in her attempt to secure a green card. As a result, his only option now is to obtain residency through a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
“It has been a horror story for us as middle class professionals,” said Bailey-Stewart. “You are made criminal because of the situation you are forced into and some teachers have even gotten fired, leaving them now undocumented in the system as well and completely dependent on friends and family for support.”
Man I love the USA, thank god for that I work hard get paid well, and I can help my family back home. God bless America so I can bless my folks in Dominica
Why is it that Caribbean people always think that it is so bad to come back home? That’s the reason why we are oppressed in those countries. It is the new form of slavery mentality- suffer in someone else’s country rather than suffer in your own while building it. It seems that education did not make these teachers any more enlightened.
These people should have done their homework. An opportunity is not an opportunity unless it is assured.
its better to be illegal in the u.s.you get all your money,you dont pay tax ,so u can save all your money
If this is a real INS card it would be wise to block out the card INS number
all those hungry people that crying life in America is not so good, put a green card in front of them and see how fast they will pack they bags,leave their husbands wives children cat dog and tati behind
When those individuals were “recruited” they should have known they needed a guarantee (legal status). Should that not be the very first question to ask? It is sad, but 10 years is a long time to not notice what was going on from the start. Among those in “so called limbo” it is only ONE DOMINICAN, not too bad. Get a man/woman to MARRY you so you can get your legal status changed.
I thought illegal people were hiding to work. How is that illegal people are working in a public place like a school?
ONE DOMINICAN among millions of illegals in this country. It is past time to make yourself visible, legally.
Truth be told, no one should have a problem with emigrating from their country to try and better their life in another. Humans have migrated from the beginning of time for one reason or the next. I agree to some extent that some may not need to leave their home land but since when is it a bad thing to want to do better. Circumstances, luck, influence, connections, personality, and many other factors play a pivitol role in ones success.
My point in all this is that we should not stand to judge someone for a descision they have made for leaving their home land.
I for one have lived in the US for sometime with ups and downs. There were times that I wished that I had never left but with a little bit of patience and dedication towards an aspiration my life has become fruitful.
I wouldn’t discourage anyone from leaving the beautiful Dominica but there are a few things to consider before making that leap. For one, be sure that there is a clear path way for you to be a legal immigrant in another country. There is no point in leaving your home to be a criminal in another man’s country. It be through a program/job such as nursing like the article above or the intention of marrying a citizen but one must have some sort of plan, not just “wing it”. Another thing to think about is, what kind of financing do you have to sustain yourself for the forseeable future. Your funds and/or committments from others have to be carefully budgeted over a realistic period of time.
It seems that the majority of the folks that entered this nursing program were successfull in obtain resident status, so the question is, “where are the shortcoming that didn’t allow the others the same success.” I for one knows that the immigration process in the United States has its flaws and like any other system, mistake do happen. I also know that many people do not put in the effort or time to ensure that every step that is need to complete such paper work is done properly and in a timely fashion. I know of many folks that have been a hindrance to themselves in the immigration process because they neglected to submit minor pieces of information, not filed necessary documents on time, or just didn’f follow the procedures to the “T”.
And my people, please remember there is no shame in going back home.
Much love to my DA people!
Migrating to the USA was a good thing for me. Every individual has his/her experience and not all of them are/were bad. Success does not come without a good plan and hard work. Some want to have it all made without one ounce of sweat, while others are quick to perceive opportunities and pursue them. The latter are the ones who have proven to be successful.
I love Dominica, but let me say without apology that the opportunities that I’ve had and continue to have in the USA was/is not available in Dominica and I am sure others can relate; nevertheless, everyone has different aspirations some of which are quite achievable in Dominica while others require travelling abroad. To postulate that it is a bad decision to leave Dominica to relocate in the USA is unfair.
May i begin by saying migrating to the USA was a good thing for me. I love Dominica, but let me say without apology that the opportunities that I’ve had and continue to have in the USA was/is not available in Dominica.
Being from the Eastern District of DA, i ponder what opportunities would exist,other than total dependecy on family land- opportunity.
If 500 recived permanent status that means that the process has a success rate. What is the issue with the other 200? could it be background check? could it be they cannot come with the money to file the necessary paper work? I don’t buy that Limbo story when 500 have already received their permanent status. Please investigate the details of those who have not received anything to date.
Just because ignorance and free you don’t have to suck it all in.inform yourself before playing smart and beating your chest on false assumptions. This was on CBS news and Fox 5 a couple weeks ago. The people are in limbo because their school districts didn’t file the paper work and allowed their tenure to lapse. Because of the exposure and embarassment this caused some of the very districts are. Scrambling to fix the mess but understanably so ICE doesn’t move to the drums of the public so many of them are out of status and can’t work. I can’t stand some of you, who always know jack because truth be told many of you yapping should the fraud you perpetrated through fake marriages be revisted would be landing on your asses back in Dominica.
Soooo is not Skerrit fault and they are not in China or Morrocco waiting for their stipen? Ok good
My experience is that the “American Dream” is REAL. However, there is a huge difference between being in the U.S. legally vs illegally. If you’re here legally, anything is possible as long as you’re willing to do the work. Illegally, is a whole other story!
So how do you account for the thousands who have Green Cards or Citizenship who are still struggling to make ends meet day in and out, even though they work hard? You see you all sit in your imaginable Ivory Towers wishy, washy and create impressions that this is all it takes to be successful. Status is only one part of the equation, I have done the studies myself so I speak from a point of authority. What you define as an american dream is an idea that was sold in the 1940’s.. a white picket fence, a job, a car. There are people at burger king with those very things. There are skilled labourers making much more money than many degree holders in the very USA and there are those who have tried it all, and still can’t attain that bit. Is their dream machine less valuable than yours? is their sweat less important?
Anyhow I thought this article is about teachers who were promised something and have not recieved it placing them in a predicament. I”m sorry to have digressed, but I am also amazed at how much Dominicans so readily gnaw at each other. If this very article is seen in the Jamaican or Jewish community, I can safely say the responses wouldn’t be the same.
Very well spoken, I applaud you.
great great response
Yes I agree, but in this case, they are illegal by consent of the system that recruited them 10 years ago and this is rubbish.
people need to take in news about whats going on in the usa i can’t talk about befor but i can say its not all that good like it look some time i ask my self why do we have to leave our sweeeeeeeeet dominica and go in this people place lots of Dominicans dont have it good in the us but i know how my people stay thay would not come back home thay just dont want ppl to say thay went to the usa and come back without nothing but as i say to lots of people no one sen’t me out so to get nothing for them so i know just when to run out if things not workout and to the one that have to stay you know what you want in life just keep praying and do what you got to do one love to you all out there but for me Dominica is it ill go out but ill be runing right back home all the time thats where i eat the good food and sweeeeeeeeeeeeet water thank GOD for blessing Dominica and Dominicans one love my people Dominicans we are the best let them know
Have you ever heard of punctuation marks?
This “American Dream” thing is just a myth to keep people hanging on to an illusion.
The problem though, is that our people have been fooling themselves and others for so long that it now difficult to come out and speak the truth.
Using credit cards to mounds tons of debt to impress those at home that life is bad and better overseas should stop.
Stop fooling yourselves, using credit card every year to buy tickets and barrels to make people believe that things are bad in Dominica but rosy elsewhere must stop.
But Dominicans in Dominica drowing in debt. To buy a ticket to travel is loan, now they have credit card is more worries. You all must stop with the generalising. Everybody isn’t drowning in debts, there are Dominicans living well, working hard and enjoying their lives. Don’t be mad because they can send barrels. You need to speak to what you know. You sound envious and bitter.
I think he/she spoke facts. Some people expect too much and friends and relatives in the US do not want them to know they are unable to maintain the illusions. They do not pay their rent, utilities, feed themselves, etc, to please those back home. Personally, I say let them know you are unable to give all what they are asking for.
You have a point though, it is not everyone back home that is struggling. Honestly, life back home is much better than life in the US.
Not bitter, not angry just like to choogonay so that things people like to hide and refuse to talk about they are angered into talking.
Really was not referring to the unfortunate teachers and nurses who find themselves in this awful situation.
There are also teachers from Jamaica in other states facing similar conditions.
The issue of people migrating and giving the wrong impression is separate.
You are so right. And another thing is those who keep sending barrels to impress those back home,put things in there they would not even buy for themselves.
I concur that the “American Dream” is far from reach. However, you can’t be so negative about a few who are in some difficulty and are experiencing setbacks through no fault of their own. The majority of Dominicans in America whose main purpose is to share in that “Dream” are doing so, but the price is hard work. The same goes for the Dominicans in Dominica who are prospering legally. It takes hard work!
You have a problem my dear. I could never save a cent in Dominica. My credit card is always up to date. I am working hard and living very comfortable in America. I could never be what I am today if I did not migrate to the US. I urge the people to pray things will work out. I know what they are enduring but it will work out.
I could not have said it better myself. Love your thought.
I’m sympathetic to their plight. Hang in there folks you already lasted 10 years Comprehensive Reform is coming. NY is practically taking the lead, being professionals your plight will be solved. I have respect for people who take such chances, against all odds, name calling, being frowned upon etc by those back home who don’t understand. No one journey is the same. I studied in the US and honestly had it not been for my then 2 year old I wrestled with staying too and taking my chances. I know how it feels to have a degree and a skinny pay check and loans. I know how it feels to see these opportunities and to have to make the hard decision of staying, or returning. Hang in there, you are not alone. Your story is hope for many others. Nurses are also in that predicament too.
Let’s hope everything works out
Everyone wants to migrate to the USA as they say for better opportunity/greener pasture, saying that the grass is greener on the other side, this is not true, as the saying goes, not all that glitter is gold
Many of the nurses, teacher, police, and those migrating to the USA, Canada, UK etc, saying that they want to experience the American dream are worst off than when they left their own island
Some of them live their profession on the island and working as domestic workers, some working in gas stations, cashiers etc, I know of a few Dominican who had it all in Dominica, and they are living in dump in the Bronx in NY living of food stamps
So to all those saying that the grass in greener on the other side, it is not, never change an old broom for a new one, remember the old broom knows all the ins in out and all the corners, please don’t be fool by them fly by night promises
i believe that the grass is greener, problem is some go up there thinking that they can be complacent and make it. there are much more opportunites up there than in the Caribbean Countries, its up to them to buck up and take advantage of it.
Is all that necessary Raymond? If they are collecting Food Stamps according to you, then they clearly are not having issues with immigration, since they must have Green Cards or Citizenship. Do you even know what you are talking about or just using this opportunity to run your fingers? People migrate for all kinds of reasons, so you with your Greener Grass philosophy is only one idea of the billions of reasons why these people have left. By the way the article is about Teachers who were offered documented status and have been left in limbo. Live and let live, their choices, their results. Why do you have to be so salty? The same ones in the dump in the Bronx you speak of, are the very ones come summer time people like you full their same houses because you all can’t afford to pay a room at a Comfort Inn at the very least for one night, let alone 2 weeks. Every Dominican has somebody they know, or even family who had to migrate. Relocating doesn’t mean streets of gold, but hard work can get one far. For many people it’s and economic decision.I know someone who worked in a particular ministry and was paid EC$1200 a month and now makes $650 US babysitting a week in Port Chester. Can I tell this woman to go back? an EC400,000 mortgage is practically paid off. It’s a hard situation, but who in the kitchen feel it. Her kids and husband who is also a civil servant are all being sponsored 3 years later by that family. When I went to college I worked in the cafeteria, then at a restuarant. There were times when my tips would be 26.00 or 0, and there were those rare nights when I made 350 or more US. We too like to cry down people when we don’t know what their circumstances are.
I want to hope things will work out for these and all others who braved it, despite the circumstances they endured. Rien Risque Rien Gagner
i agree with most if not all of the statements made and wish the teachers get their problems fixed.as far as the grass being greener on the other side? i remember this phrase” WHAT YOU SEE DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR” NOW I AM OF THE OPINION THAT IT IS GOING TO GET HARDER IN DOMINICA AS IT APEARS THAT THAT THEIR IS A TAX TREATY BETWEEN BANKING SYSTEM IN THE REGION AND THE US GOVT
Well, to each his own…. the grass is surely greener on the the other side for me. I’m wondering if I was in Dominica what I’d be doing. Thank you Lord for taking me to the other side
you would do what you are qualified and trained to do.I am sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You make it seem as if all Dominican are going through this, living on food stamps. It is disturbing because you really don’t know. For your information there are many many many Dominican living the American dream, than the born American’s. Have your statistic correct. What you don’t know don’t speak of. I live in the US and know exactly what I’m talking about.
So please don’t make it seem that Dominicans in general are suffering in the U.S. collecting government handout. It’s not totally true. Many people in the carribean living in the US are doing a lot better than some of the ones who were born here. Do a survey and you will find out the results of how educated many of the people who left Dominica and living in the US have become. There are many opportunities and we take them.