7 Permanent Resident Cards Awarded Through Amnesty Program

Seven applicants have been awarded permanent residency cards through Belize’s Amnesty Program. The program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Immigration and the UN High Commission on Refugees, created to regularize the number of immigrants living in Belize without legal documentation. The distribution of the residency cards comes on the heels of the new refugee asylum center that was opened in Benque Viejo. The recipients attended a ceremony where they were handed their cards and officially welcomed to Belize. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Belize is leading the charge in response to immigration challenges by providing a more compassionate and inclusive approach to tackling the issues. Seven permanent residency cards were handed over through Belize’s amnesty program, ensuring that these people breathe a sigh of relief that they are legally allowed to call Belize their home. Tanya Santos, CEO of the Ministry of Immigration, welcomed the refugees to Belize.

 

Tanya Santos, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration

“Today, we gather to mark a momentous occasion in celebration of our new permanent residents and their families. We celebrate with you here at the intersection where your time living in the shadows has ended. And when your new chapter has begun, we are glad to be here to share your hopefulness and optimism. These permanent resident cards that you will be receiving shortly are not just a document that verifies your full recognition as a resident of this beautiful country. These cards also represent your resilience, your courage, and your enduring hope for a better future in this country. that so many others before you have made their home.”

 

Jose Samaniego is the Director of the Regional Bureau for the Americas, an office of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees.  In his presentation today, Samaniego spoke on the perennial issue regarding the movement of people across Latin America.

 

Jose Samaniego, Director, UNHCR

“Today we experience an unprecedented displacement crisis in the world as a result of endless conflict, violence, extreme poverty, exacerbated by the impact of climate change.  The number of people forced to flee has doubled in the last decade from sixty million persons in 2014, to one hundred and twenty million in 2024.  Closer to us, in countries of the Americas host more than twenty-three million forcibly displaced persons.  In addition to that, last year we had a record number of people engage in mixed movements, crossing the Darien [Gap] towards North America.”

 

Many refugees flee their home countries to escape persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.  Granting amnesty provides them with safety and protection from these threats.

 

Tanya Santos

“Many of you arrived years ago, in times when our country ignored your situation or were talks of protection and amnesty were at the inception.  Therefore, I am honored to be here to see the culmination of a process that allows you full recognition as legal residents of Belize.  In line with the objectives of Plan Belize, this amnesty envisioned your place in building the nation.  In recognizing you as permanent residents, we continue our government’s commitment to ensuring a safe society, justice for all and family well-being.”

 

Isani Cayetano for News Five.