G.O.B. Says No Strict Measures on Jamaican Arrivals Just Yet
On the phone: Dr. Gilroy Middleton
The situation with Jamaican nationals disappearing after entering Belize is also similar, except that it involves a considerably smaller number. While the Immigration Department is monitoring the situation closely, stricter measures are yet to be put in place where Jamaicans are concerned. According to C.E.O. Middleton, a cabinet subcommittee will be formed to look at the issue, with a view to determine whether it involves human trafficking.
On the phone: Dr. Gilroy Middleton, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration
“In respect of the Jamaicans, the numbers are similar but we haven’t reached a tipping point as in respect of the Haitians. In respect of the Jamaicans, we’ve had some one thousand, six hundred and seventy-three Jamaicans entering via the PGIA primarily, since January 2022. To date, of that one thousand, six hundred and seventy-three, we’ve had some seven hundred and seventy-eight depart through one of our legal border crossing, so that left some eight hundred and ninety-five Jamaicans who have not exited through our northern border point of exit or any other of our formal border points. So the Haitians, one thousand, nine hundred and seventy-four unaccounted Haitians. Jamaicans, eight hundred and ninety-five unaccounted Jamaicans since January 2022. So that’s about fifty percent less Jamaicans, hence we are not looking at that visa restriction for the Jamaicans. Honorable Eamon Courtenay will be working on a subcommittee of cabinet, in terms of the ministers, and the CEOs and the technical individuals will be working and looking at the issues, in this case, the analysis show that it may relate to smuggling. So that will be reviewed and it must be noted that we are not attempting to restrict any Jamaicans or Haitians who intend to come to Belize legitimately. These individuals have rights under the Treaty of Chaguaramas which will be respected and which, from an immigration point of view, we will facilitate. However, we must ensure the national security of Belize. There were some reports that we had added additional restrictions to Jamaicans, I must note that these reports are false. What honorable Eamon Courtenay noted is that a subcommittee will be formed to address immigration issues on a whole. The Ministry of Immigration will be liaising with the Ministry of Tourism from the perspective to look at how we could address these issues.”
