Immigration Reality Costs Owner of Dream-Like Bar

Estefania Beatriz Alonzo Gomez

At the top of the newscast you heard the Court of Appeal decisions. But the Magistrate Court was also busy with immigration matters. On Thursday, the Immigration Department was on a routine check on the Northern Highway when they visited Dream Like Bar where they found the owner along with a number of female immigrants working as bartenders, waitresses and cashiers. The department rounded up five of the women who are here legally, but working without temporary permits. The bar owner, twenty-three year old Estefania Beatriz Alonzo Gomez, was also detained and this morning, the group was brought to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. But only Alonzo Gomez was charged with five counts for Employing Persons not in Possession of a Temporary Employment Permit. She wasted no time and pleaded guilty to the offenses and was slapped with a fine totaling five thousand dollars or in default, five years behind bars.  Alonzo Gomez is accused of employing illegally Salvadoran nationals Zulma Onofre Lemus Sul, Susana Nolasco Vasquez, Melissa Sermeno Ruano, Maritza Del Carmen Chicas Sul, and Paola Melara Nolasco. Since the bar owner has no previous conviction, the Magistrate imposed the minimum fine.