Jamaicans denied entry into Belize

BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – A man who broke his leg while attempting to evade immigration officials is among 11 Jamaicans denied entry into Belize during the period November 4 to 11.

The Department of Border Management and Immigration Services said it had also refused the entry of four Brazilian nationals during the same period. It said the 15 foreigners are being housed at the Global Village Hotel under guard pending repatriation.

According to the Department, the 11 Jamaicans, including five children, had arrived on November 11 onboard a COPA Airlines flight from Panama.

They were deemed inadmissible for reasons ranging from the lack of return tickets to their countries of origin, travelling with minors without proper legal documentation, and providing invalid accommodation details.

The authorities said that eight Jamaicans had listed an address for their place of stay, but upon investigation it was found to be housing businesses and a water taxi service but no known hotel.

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Additionally, some hotel bookings were found to have been made with fraudulent credit cards.

“The Government of Belize, through the Department of Border Management and Immigration Services, remains vigilant on the number of Jamaicans among other nationals that are using Belize as a transit point to reach the United States and Canada.

“The suspected smuggling of anyone, particularly minors, through Belize, will under no circumstance be countenanced. The Acting Port Commander has informed the Department of Human Services on the matter of the children in custody,” said the statement issued by the Ministry of Immigration.

Three of the Jamaican nationals have since filed for judicial review regarding their inadmissibility.

One of the Jamaicans who was denied entry is a 37-year-old man who broke his leg after jumping through a window in an attempt to evade immigration officers.  The man and  two other Jamaicans have since retained attorney Norman Rodriguez, who filed for judicial review to challenge their deportation.

Rodriguez argued that his clients met all entry requirements, including return tickets and hotel reservations, but were still refused entry.

He alleges discrimination against Jamaican nationals and claims immigration officers failed to provide formal notice of detention, contrary to the Immigration Act.