There are 122 new Belizeans tonight. This afternoon Supreme Court Judge Troadio John Gonzalez swore in the 122 permanent residents making them full-fledged Belizean citizens. The ceremony was held at the George Price Center in Belmopan and was attended by Price himself along with Home Affairs Minister Hon. Ralph Fonseca under whose portfolio immigration falls.
Fonseca used this afternoon's platform to proclaim a hardline visa policy for residents of Far East countries such as India and the People's Republic of China. And from the way it looks, the new policy will make getting a Belizean visa just as difficult as getting one from the U.S. embassy. Fonseca says applicants will have to submit their applications to the nearest British Embassy or consulate which will in turn vet the applicants before sending it to Belize. Fonseca says it may be extreme but it is necessary.
Hon. Ralph Fonseca, Minister of Home Affairs
"No Belize embassy, consulate, or other diplomatic mission abroad shall issue visas to the nationals of PRC (People's Republic of China), India, or other far east countries without specific written authority from the Director of Immigration and Nationality. There will be internal controls on how the director will exercise his discretion to approve visas in such cases. Other measures might have to be put in place to control the enormous increase in visa applications. Any visas issued abroad in contravention of the prescribed procedure shall be considered null and void and shall not be honored by the Immigration and Nationality Department. Those found responsible for defying the system will face severe penalties."
"Belize welcomes genuine visitors and immigrants but we must control illegal immigration to Belize and must not allow Belize to become a transit point for the smuggling of immigrants to other countries."
After the policy pronouncement, the 122 new Belizeans were administered the oath of allegiance and handed their certificates of citizenship. The new citizens are now able to apply for passports which Fonseca added will soon be machine-readable. Fonseca also announced that future applicants for Belizean citizenship will have to take a citizenship test which will test their knowledge of English and basic facts about Belize.