Concerns Grow Over Possible Deportation of Belizeans Under Trump’s Immigration Policy

Tonight, there are growing concerns over the possibility of Belizean nationals with criminal records being deported from the United States. Yesterday, the opposition questioned whether Belizeans living in the US illegally will be deported under the newly enacted deportation plan of President Donald Trump. Opposition Senator Michael Peyrefitte warned that the sweeping deportation efforts could result in a significant influx of individuals with criminal backgrounds returning to Belize. An unofficial list has been making rounds on social media suggesting that there are around 900 Belizeans scheduled for deportation. Today, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa was asked to weigh in on the situation and what it could mean for Belize. 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs: “It’s not a concern per se. We do know that is a policy decision of the new Trump administration. And so we do expect some deportees to be coming back, not necessarily violent offenders. I know my friend, Jules Vasquez again in attacking the numbers is saying oh all the criminals went to the states and they’re coming home now doom and gloom. You know better than I do. One criminal gone, five more grew up the next day. It’s not, that’s not how this works. Migration has happened since the 70s and 80s, continues to this day. And I know you need a reason to explain away the numbers but this is a fact of life. And yes, we have to prepare ourselves for the deportation. We are going to deal with whether they have a criminal past here in Belize or if they are pending charges. For instance, I believe Ellis Meighan is one of them. If there are others, then we will, if there is enough evidence then those individuals will be charged. And so the police department obviously has a roster of these individuals that they will be keeping an eye on and if necessary, charge upon their return.”

The Commissioner of Police Chester Williams noted that the department is preparing for the possible influx of Belizean deportees but will only target persons who are wanted for crimes in Belize. 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “I see a lot of rumbling in the public domain in terms of what is going to happen to those persons who will be deported from the US because the deportee law is there which speaks to what must be done. But may I say that we are not going to treat all those people who will be sent back home as a deportee for the simple reason that if you were living in the States, trying to make life for yourself and you did not have a criminal past either here or in the US and then they decide to pick you up and send you back home I don’t think it is going to be right for us to have you reporting every week to the police station. And so in those instances we’re going to waive it. We’re only going to have those persons who have some criminal past or who are being deported for criminal reasons. Those who are not for criminal reasons we will waive the process.”

A recent news clip from US media captured the arrest of Belizeans who are scheduled to be deported.