Amnesty program in its first week
In the 1980’s thousands of refugees fleeing armed conflict in the surrounding Central American republics came to Belize. Estimates from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees are that about eight thousand of those people were officially granted refugee status; they estimate that thousands more remain undocumented. Despite increased political stability in the region, those seeking a better standard of living have continued to come to Belize in search of work. For a variety of reasons many have failed, or were unable to obtain permanent residence. Now the government is offering these people a chance to come forward and file for residency. The six-week amnesty program began on Monday and is being carried out in all the districts. In Belize City, the amnesty office at the City Centre has not exactly been flooded by residency seekers, but those who have come to get their forms or simply ask questions, seem pleased for the opportunity to apply.
Manuel Acevedo, Residency Applicant
“Well I feel very happy because a lot of people get help with their problem.”
Alicia Gonzalez, Residency Applicant
“I applied about six years ago but I was unable to get my papers so I left everything the way it was. Now since I have the opportunity to obtain them I am here.”
Although only 34 completed applications were filed at the City Centre in the program’s first day, over two hundred immigrants have come into the office for applications. Anyone who has lived in Belize for at least four years, has married a Belizean or has Belizean children, or women who are at least four months pregnant can apply for amnesty. According to project manager, Bill Skeen, the purpose is not only to help people gain legal status; it is a way for the government to get an accurate head count of thousands of immigrants who have been living outside the law.
Bill Skeen, Project Manager
“To regularize the status of undocumented persons in Belize, undocumented and illegal immigrants. Also to have the immigrants who come to Belize to respect the laws of Belize. We know that for some time a whole large number of people have been coming to Belize especially from Central America and part of amnesty project is to regularize them in such a way that we can distinguish those who have registered from those who have come after the program.”
In order to apply for the permanent residence immigrants must pay a $200 fee for themselves or immediate family and minor children and bring along identification documentation and proof of residence verification.
Bill Skeen
“They need to bring any sort of documentation: birth certificates, passports, affidavits and so on. They can use the certification of births also.”
But even if they bring all the proper documentation and fill out the forms there is no guarantee an illegal immigrant will get permanent residence.
Bill Skeen
“Coming here we will accept all completed applications and it is during phase four that the actual applications will be considered. There will be random checks to see if someone lives at number thirty-two West Street or in the village of Armenia at such and such a location. There might be random checks to see if that person lives there or whether the person signing the certificate actually fabricated the whole thing.”
Anyone caught falsifying information will face fines and even possible imprisonment. Skeen encourages people to be honest when applying and to take advantage of the government’s offer of amnesty. After the six weeks are over, the process of applying for legal residency reverts back to normal, and so do the penalties for living and working in Belize illegally. Arreini Palacio for News Five.
Since they opened two days ago, amnesty offices in the Belize City and the southern districts have recorded a steady stream of immigrant applicants. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, which still maintains a presence in Belmopan although its main office has closed, has endorsed the amnesty and is providing financial support. In addition to the amnesty program, changes in Belize’s immigration law now allow those officially recognized as refugees who have lived in Belize for at least five years to apply for citizenship. In a Cabinet meeting today it was agreed that as a follow-up to the amnesty program a long term immigration policy will be developed.
