Gov't to introduce an amnesty program for 20,000 illegal immigrants
There has been no official word on government's decision to soon introduce an amnesty programme. Twenty thousand illegal immigrants are on their way to achieving permanent residency status in Belize. According to Cabinet Paper number one hundred and nineteen of 2010, the plan got the green light from Cabinet back in August but government has remained quiet about it in the months since it decided to proceed with it. The applicants would need to show proof of their identity, present a medical certificate, a clean police record and a few other documents including proof that they have been residing in Belize for two years. It will kick in next financial year in April and according to the document, government is planning to spend at least a quarter million dollars but government coffers, they estimate, can get as much as three to five million dollars. The cost per adult would be two hundred and fifty dollars while the fee for a child is one hundred dollars. The Director of Immigration, Gareth Murillo, was unavailable for comment today.Channel 5