Belizeans received a scare this morning when Fox News reported that all US Visa processing would be frozen for 75 countries, including Belize.
Later, however, the US State Department clarified on their Twitter account that the freeze would affect only immigrant Visas - which are for persons seeking to live in the US. They also explained that these countries were chosen because the migrants, quote, "take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates." End quote.
This afternoon, the government of Belize issued a press release saying that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaging with the US Embassy to clarify the scope of the decision, and they have directed the Belizean Embassy in the US to do the same.
The release also says that, quote, "only a very small number of U.S. immigrant visa applications are processed in Belmopan. There is no information at this time to indicate that the decision would affect applications for visitor or student visas." End quote.
This freeze comes into effect on January 21st. And it comes after Belize signed an agreement to share biometric data with the US. Belize also has also agreed to be a safe third country for certain nationalities being deported.
And in today's Cabinet brief, it states that they, quote, "approved the establishment of a joint vetted unit in support of the national, transnational, and international immigration crime prevention unit."
