Tag:
Immigration Department
Government
GOB launches electronic passport system
On Monday, October 24th, the Government of Belize (GOB), through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration, launched the Electronic Passport Issuance and Control System (EPICS) and E-Passports. This upgrade in the immigration department is to end required visits to the main offices in Belmopan, where applicants often stand in line for hours. The system will also address the issue of backlogs delaying the issuance of passports. The new passport application process is moving almost entirely online, requiring one visit to the data capture site and another to the issuance center to pick up the passport.
Community and Society
Cuban nationals ordered to leave the country after drifting into Belizean waters
Although a removal order was issued for 16 Cuban nationals, they remain stranded in Belize. The group was deemed prohibited immigrants after appearing at the Magistrate Court in Belize City on Monday, September 5th. They were first detained in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, last Thursday. They had reportedly been drifting on a boat for days in the open sea before making a distress call and accidentally landing north of the island.
Community and Society
Amnesty mobile clinic held in San Pedro
An amnesty program designed to legalize undocumented immigrants in Belize held mobile clinics over the weekend of April 2nd. Over 200 islanders looking to address their legal status in the country visited the San Pedro High School, where they were assisted with residency applications. The amnesty program is available to Central American and CARICOM citizens.
Community and Society
Amnesty program to start across the country in April 2022
The amnesty program announced by the current government has begun its awareness campaign. The program, designed to grant amnesty to CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and Central American migrants, will start in April. The awareness campaign saw members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Department, and the International Organization for Migration in Belize recently meeting in San Pedro Town. The visit focused on the requirements needed to qualify and apply for permanent residence in Belize.
Government
United States Donates All-Terrain Pickup Trucks to Support Anti-Trafficking Operations
The U.S. Embassy donated four Ford Ranger pickup trucks valued at over US$206,000 to the Belize Joint Intelligence Operations Centre (JIOC) for use in investigating and countering transnational organized crime in Belize. The donation was made through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Financing grant program and coordinated through the U.S. Embassy’s Security Cooperation Office.
Government
Immigration Dept. to assist foreigners unable to update their legal status in the country
As previously hinted by Belize Rural South (BRS) Area Representative the Honourable Andre Perez, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration announced on Tuesday, September 28th that foreigners/migrants seeking to update their legal status in the country can now visit their nearest immigration office. This is for persons who have not been able to maintain a regular status in the country between April 2020 and September 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government
Proposed passport SI changes has National JPs Association at odds with Immigration Ministry
The Association of Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of the Supreme Court are at odds with the Immigration Department and the Ministry of the Attorney General (AG).
Police News
American National detained for immigration offenses
A 56-year-old American National, Robert Brent Haynes was detained and brought to the San Pedro Police Station on Friday, March 8th for having violated his immigration permit in Belize.
