Concerns Arise Over Immigration Department Working Conditions Following Port Commander’s Death

The passing of Immigration Port Commander, Sheldon Winston Hudson, has triggered his colleagues in expressing concerns over the management and working conditions within the Department Border Management and Immigration Services.  At least three officers, including two senior staff, have provided us with information, indicating that within the past year, nine immigration officers have had some level of stress related break down.  The report notes that four officers have had a stroke with Hudson’s episode proving fatal.  It also states that one officer had episodes of anxiety attack some three months ago, while another suffered a nervous breakdown in December last year while another had a heart attack some ten months ago.  We reached out to the overall Director of Immigration, Gilroy Middleton, but we learnt that he is currently out of the country.  Meanwhile, our texts to the Minister of Immigration, Eamon Courtenay, have gone unanswered.  As it relates to the passing of Sheldon Hudson, our newsroom understands that he suffered a fatal stroke last week, and was laid to rest this past weekend. The funeral service saw a large gathering of immigration officers from across the country for the funeral service in Carolina Village.  Speaking at the service was the Minister of Immigration, Eamon Courtenay, who gave credit, respect and recognition to Port Commander Hudson.

Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration: “It is with a heavy heart that we have ome to this place at this time to celebrate the life of Port Commander Hudson. A man of 51. It is difficult for those of us who remain behind to accept and to understand but those of us who are Christian know that one is only taken when the lord is ready. Never at the wrong time but only at the right time. On behalf of the Government of Belize, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration I offer my deepest sympathies and ask you to understand that a great man has fallen. From all I have heard in the Ministry of Immigration Sheldon was not only the consummate professional he was a man of the utmost integrity. He spoke his mind never fearing to speak truth to power. He worked for 28 years as an immigration officer rising to the post of Port Commander. That is testimony not only for long service or for competence, that is testimony to professionalism and it is are cognition that a good and faithful public servant has served his people, has served his country and now he has gone to  rest. To Sheldon we offer the words of our national prayer and we draw comfort in the words of the national prayer “after enjoying the blessings of this life, please admit him dear lord to that eternal reward that you have prepared for those who love you. Amen.”

Hudson is survived by his wife and eight children.  He had served in the Immigration Department for 28 years.