This afternoon, 22 Brazilians - 18 adults and 4 minors - were in court after they were caught on board a Valencia Bus at the Crooked Tree junction on the Philip Goldson Highway. The arraignment was delayed until 3 and the entire process took 3 hours to complete, forcing the court to remain open after closing hours.
The Brazilians reportedly entered Belize illegally on May 11 by crossing the Mopan River in Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town. They were caught on the bus the next day. 10 of them presented their Republic of Brazil passports which had falsified visitor's permit stamps which were not issued by lawful authority.
In court, one of the defendants explained that they were all heading to the United States, but cops along with Immigration officers detained them. Another defendant stated that she was deceived as she was promised while she was still in Brazil that she would make it through the Belize/Guatemala border, and all the way to the US. According to the Brazilians, they were told that they would just need to pay cash and present a passport to an unknown man at the border who would cross them into Belize illegally.
Out of the 18 adults, the 10 with the falsified stamps were charged for being a prohibited immigrant, meanwhile the other 8 were charged for illegal entry. They all pleaded guilty.
They were fined $1,000 each plus a $5 cost of court fine, which they must pay in default 6 months imprisonment. Tonight, they remain in custody but a removal order has been granted for them to be sent back home.
