Marin Says Officers Knew Files from Ministers Must Be Completed and Applicants Appear in Person

Maria Marin

An example of alleged Ministerial overreach in the Department was pointed out by the officer in charge of Nationality, Gordon Wade. In the Audit Report he criticized Maria Marin for knowingly allowing Ministers to personally submit nationality-related applications that were incomplete, on the promise that they would bring what else was needed later on. While Marin says she accepted that the practice was going on, she would insist that the file be completed before being sent on to the Minister for approval for those cases that she knew about.

Maria Marin, Former Director of Immigration

“I was aware of instances, yes, but when I became aware of those instances, I would reiterate to the officers: the applicants must present themselves personally. We needed to ascertain that those persons are, or were, in Belize. We needed to verify that photo identification they were presenting with the person in front of me.”