I write in response to the letter "Teachers are being deported" (Nov. 13, page 8). I have lived and taught in Taiwan for 21 years. I do not agree with some of the laws that govern foreigners here, but I comply with them because they are the law.
I used to have to renew my Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) every year. Finally I applied for and received a long-term ARC. The procedure was fairly complicated a few years ago, but has now been simplified.
There are several places foreigners can go when they need help. One good Web site is iff.npa.gov.tw; another resource is the toll-free line 0800-024-111. The number was established by the National Police Administration and Chunghwa Telecom to help foreigners will all kinds of problems.
As foreigners living in Taiwan it is our responsibility to know the laws regarding our ARCs. One law in particular says that you can only work for the language school which furnishes you with an ARC. In simpler terms, you are a "captive."
As I stated earlier, I've lived in Taiwan for many years and have not once been harassed by the local police or Foreign Affairs Police. I have found them to be helpful and polite. I was talking to a Foreign Affairs policeman, and he told me something that is worth repeating: "We do not make the laws, we simply enforce them." It is up to the Legislative Yuan to pass laws, not the police.
Some recruiters are not totally honest with people they bring here from other countries. At the same time, I've had people with high school educations, partial college educations and even holders of fake diplomas apply to my language school.
One foreign teacher that worked for me for five years has also never had trouble with the police here. I wrote this letter because foreigners in Taiwan or planning to come here should not believe that they will experience a lot of trouble with the police.
We, as foreigners, are not above the law in Taiwan simply because we have a foreign passport.
Name provided
Kaohsiung
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