PM speaks about immigration and visa scandal
We have been following the trail of human trafficking across the globe and have found gaping holes in the issuance of visas by the Ministry of Immigration. There are incidences where Sri Lankans have been arrested at the Airport in Ecuador with visas already stamped directly from Belmopan. Similarly, we’ve discovered that nationals of war torn Somalia arrived in Belize with their Belmopan issued visas already stamped on Kenyan passports. Regular checks would have shown that these visitors never existed until they got the passports. The same goes for other nationalities such as Nigerians who have been shipping passports to Belmopan for visas and then getting them back to Africa. All this comes on the heels of the transfer of Director of Immigration Gareth Murillo to another department. Prime Minister Dean Barrow says that Murillo’s move was not disciplinary but he did take a few cheap shots at News Five.
Dean Barrow
“I said that it was a matter of moving pieces around to try to get a better general fit. You can read into that what you will. It was certainly not a disciplinary measure. I can make that absolutely clear. There is no question that there is a feeling that Mr. Murillo has done something wrong and must be transferred. Not at all. But we are always looking for the best fit and it was in that context that he was moved.”
Jose Sanchez
“PM, I’ve actually seen evidence where people can walk into the immigration department with several passports, get the visas stamped and DHL’d out of the country. I’ve seen evidence of US Customs interception package of three Nigerian passports from Belize. The people have never stepped into the country but they had visas from Belmopan.”
dean barrow
Dean Barrow
“Well, you have advantage over me. I have seen no evidence of that but if there is evidence of that, it means that there is a system that is faulty. I would certainly like to have that evidence and I would undertake that, I would insist that the minister deal with that. And if it is more than a faulty system, if you have any evidence that anyone has been deliberately facilitating a process under which people can obtain visas that they are not entitled to, I will move. I am telling you people that I am deadly serious.”
Jose Sanchez
“I did attempt to speak to the minister in question but he said he does not want to me even though in his press release, he said he was waiting for an interview. Now there is also evidence of Somalians coming in with Kenyan passports.”
Dean Barrow
“You can understand why the government has a difficulty with Channel Five. Your news editor, your manager, actually manipulates the news, does not give the government anything like a fair shot at being represented. You would understand where there is a problem. But nevertheless, something like that, if you have that kind of information, it is so much in the public interests for me to know that and for something to be done about that if it is true; notwithstanding the sort of informal embargo that there is against anyone of us talking to Channel Five except in a context like this where the media are all together. I will be happy to meet with you to try to put whatever may be wrong, because Channel Five is very free with accusations that I have no faith in. But Jose, you have material, it is my duty to look together with you at that material and if it is what I say it is, I will make sure that something is done.”
Jose Sanchez
“I’ll be coming to visit you soon PM.”
Dean Barrow
“No problem, that’s fine.”
The process for visa issuance to nationals on a prohibited list is that in the absence of an Embassy of Belize in any country, potential visitors are required to seek assistance from the British Embassy. An interview would be conducted and the information sent to Belmopan, where checks would be made using Interpol. The relevant embassy would then either issue or deny the visas based on recommendations from the Capital.
UDP’s have to make all the money they can before the next election.
Did you hear about Minister Marin & Mayor Campos getting into a fight in Corozal Town. Mayor Campos wants to be the New Minister for the Corozal Bay division.
I was at Immigration in Belmopan once and saw a man come in with a big cardboard box full of foreign passports. He simply gave the whole box to an immigration officer and walked away. Very open – nothing covert – he acted as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
This is an arrogant man, making our country go down the drain. These fools never admit when they are doing wrong, but they are ready to take the people money. Corruption, Corruption, The government Corrupt, The police corrupt, and up to the immigration dept. corrupt. Then they want to arrest the small man with one stick of weed, (not that I endorse it). Arrest the Big Cheese at the top then things will settle down in the streets. Just my 2 Cents.
The truth have been hitting you in the face Dean Barrow–you can’t handle the truth-the truth is
that you know that these crimes are been committed and visas are been sold-the National
Security Of Belize is a criminal organization. The world is convince and there is reliable
evidence. Make those necessary arrest. Planes are landing and taking off, visas are signed and
given to unknown individuals–Indeed Belize is a springboard for these criminals whom are
facilitated by different greedy government agencies so as to make their way or their illegal
product to the United States, Europe and other parts of the world.
Would not like to debate this Mr. prime minister since there would be no end to it but was not Mr. Murillo with the immigration department for over six years. I would think that it would certainly not take this long of a period for his superiors to figure out that he is not a good fit for that position.
I think that it would be pretty scary to go back four years into his services under the PUP administration and find out what is hidden under those rocks maybe that should have been done when your administration took over and before a scandal surfaced.
THIS PRIME MINISTER IS ALL………………………SMOKE AND MIRRORS………….
PM its easy to see why you dont like channel 5, because they are exposing to much corruption in the UDP government
It’s a wonder why the PM is always wearing sun glasses everytime channel 5 catch him for an interview. What do you have to hide that you can’t let the people see your eyes Mr. Barrow. It seems like the way you talk it’s like there is no corruption in Belize and all these things happening are a figment of our imagination? Check out your quote “and if it is what I say it is, I will make sure that something is done.” So if the evidence is what YOU say it is? you will take action?
I met a complete stranger a week ago, and as we talked she asked me” where are you from”? and with a small measure of pride I said Belize. The American looked at me and with a small smile she said “you have a beautiful country but your government is corrupt.” My heart fisted with embarrassment because I had to agree.
Now Mr. Prime Minister…if some random american woman can know that much. How can you in your position of authority be so clueless?