U.D.P. claims government selling residency permits

The United Democratic Party claims the Ministry of Immigration is bypassing the normal procedures for permanent residency and selling Belizean residency to Chinese, Taiwanese and Indian nationals without them ever setting foot in the country. The U.D.P. alleges that residency cards are being sold for a flat fee of three thousand dollars and that the practice has, in their words, “the full blessing of the Minister”. They claim it is being facilitated by businessman Gabby Affif. The U.D.P. says that late last year they requested a meeting of the House Committee on Immigration to discuss the issue when reports of the practice first surfaced, but were turned down. The U.D.P. is now asking that Minister Jorge Espat make a public statement on the issue and explain government’s position on the sale of residency to Asian nationals, and how many Asians have been given permits to live in Belize since September of 1998. Minister Jorge Espat could not be reached for comment today, but Gabby Affif told News Five that he is an agent for the government’s Economic Citizenship Program but has nothing to do with permanent residency permits. He says these permits are dealt with exclusively by the Immigration Department and that as far as he knows everyone who applies, must apply in person.