The Government of Belize has confirmed the return of 21 Belizean nationals who were repatriated from the United States this morning via a U.S. Government-chartered flight.
According to an official statement, Belize was notified last Friday by the U.S. Government of its decision to repatriate the individuals. Since then, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration, in coordination with the Embassy of Belize in the United States and the Belize Police Department, worked to confirm the nationality of the returnees and ensure they had the necessary travel documents.
Upon arrival at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, the 21 individuals were received and processed “in the same manner as any other Belizean being repatriated to Belize by a foreign government,” the statement read.
The Ministry stressed its commitment to protecting the rights of Belizeans abroad, regardless of their immigration status. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration takes seriously its consular duty to ensure that the rights of all Belizeans abroad are respected and that they are treated with dignity in accordance with international law,” the release stated.
The Government also reiterated its stance on inclusivity: “The Government of Belize maintains its position that all Belizeans abroad are welcomed home.”