Two days ago, we told you about the 400% hike in passport fees. It came unannounced and it gave pause to many Belizeans hoping to apply for that new state-of-the-art, $200.00 dollar E-Passport.
Well, yesterday was day one for implementation of those fees and we wanted to see what kind of effect it was having on the ground so, Cherisse Halsall travelled to Belmopan and here's what she found:
It's 2023 and we're back at the immigration department because the price of an adult passport has gone up 400% to 200 dollars.
Additionally, after the change to the e-sim passport, there is a chronic shortage of passport books in the country.
In fact, right now, the story around here is that you can only get a passport based on who you know, and maybe if it's a medical emergency.
And if your situation doesn't fit either of those criteria, you just have to get in line, That's what Stephanie Jones has found out in the nearly 8 months she's been trying to get passports for herself and her six kids, two of whom are autistic. Her appointment came just in time for the price hike.
Stephanie Jones, Mother of Six/ Applicant
"First had had six applications but due to the spike I could only have gotten three right now because our appointment was set for September 2022, our appointment was April 5th which is today."
"I had to do it with the money that I had already saved so now I have to go and reschedule for the other passports which the appointment date will be the way in October."
Cherisse Halsall:
"What was the wait time from the point when you made the appointment to today when you have the passports in hand?"
Stephanie Jones, Mother of Six/ Applicant
"Um, about six months. Well, the passport isn't in hand yet until June because I still have to wait until June. I set my appointment in September 2022. Hmph almost a year, damn!"
Cherisse Halsall:
"8 months to a year."
Stephanie Jones, Mother of Six/ Applicant
"For one passport which I think every Belizean should be entitled to a passport. A Belizean passport at least."
And the backlog is creating real challenges for those set to travel. We met one gentleman who had to cancel his Easter travel plans after finding out that his daughter's passport wouldn't be ready on time.
Passport Applicant
"Check it out, I had an appointment for today, today is the 5th to come and get a passport and now when we come for it we find out it's not ready. I have to come back, again, another week. So, why did they give me a date? I have everything planned out."
Cherisse Halsall:
"And did they give you a reason?"
Passport Applicant
"And I'm losing time. I keep losing time and I have to work. I'm fighting for my daughter. I'm a single father, you understand? Fighting through it with her. And now they do this to me. I think they're not doing their work correctly, you understand."
Cherisse Halsall:
"What was your reasoning for needing the passport were you going to travel?"
Passport Applicant
"Yes, of course, we were going to travel. Yes, during these days. I was going to travel because she needs to go and see her grandparents. I think maybe they need some kind of money. If you pay a little extra it'll be easier but I don't have it to pay."
But as always there are those taking the practical approach, one family man told us that he applied all at once for the whole family because you never know when you'll have to travel.
Cherisse Halsall:
"How much did you pay in total for your family to get their passports?"
William Waight, Father/ Passport Applicant
"$700.00."
Cherisse Halsall:
"Do you feel like that price is really too high?"
William Waight, Father/ Passport Applicant
"Well, of course because from $50 to a big drastic change of course it's high for people who can't afford it and then you have to find the money to get it done because in a time of emergency you really need a passport you know. So, but we managed to get it. We can't fight the system because if you try to fight the system you will still end up having to pay it anyway."
But while that family made a point of preparing for anything, others having failed to prepare are now desperate to travel.
Leticia Diaz came all the way from Orange Walk hoping that she could negotiate her way into an appointment but to no avail.
Leticia Diaz, Passport Applicant
"Well, I am so sorry to come because I came here from six this morning because I heard the news saying that people are not showing up because the price went up so that is the reason why I came but now that I came it's like I'm begging them to do my passport because they don't want to help me to give me a chance and I don't see a lot of people here."
"Now they raised it so I have the money. I came because I have the money and you know when you have the money in your hand it goes because everything is expensive. So now that I have the money in my hand I came. I spent to make them put my picture and all of that and still they won't tend to us."
"$200 dollars is too much for us poor people. They are not thinking about us poor people, they are thinking for themselves. So, I came here and I am paying my passport and they still don't want to give us a chance so I think this is not fair."
