Belize advances in integration of asylum-seekers
Belize advances in integration of asylum-seekers
UNHCR, 02 Sep 2024
URL: https://www.unhcr.org/us/news/press-releases/belize-advances-integration-asylum-seekers
BELMOPAN, Belize – A group of asylum-seekers in Belize have been granted Permanent Residency Cards, officially recognizing their legal status in the country. The residency cards were distributed on September 2nd during an Amnesty Ceremony at the University of Belize Conference Center in Belmopan City, Cayo District.
José Samaniego, UNHCR Regional Director for the Americas and José Egas, Representative for UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office covering Aruba, Belize, Cuba, Curacao, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, & Trinidad & Tobago attended the ceremony.
The Belize Amnesty Program provided asylum seekers and irregular migrants with an alternative pathway to permanent residency. The registration phase concluded on March 31, 2023, resulting in 12,765 applications, including 737 applications under asylum seeker criteria. The Government is finalizing approvals and issuing permanent residency cards; close to 400 asylum seekers have received residency cards.
“UNHCR commends the Government of Belize for its regional leadership in addressing forced displacement and providing durable solutions. With their new permanent residency, asylum-seekers—who viewed Belize as a place to rebuild their lives—can now fully integrate and contribute to the country’s vibrant and diverse society,” expressed José Samaniego, UNHCR Regional Director for the Americas.
UNHCR has partnered with the Government of Belize to support refugees and asylum-seekers since the 1980s. The Amnesty marks a significant step in protecting and stabilizing vulnerable populations.
UNHCR’s Regional Director for the Americas and UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office Representative are in Belize on a four-day visit that includes meetings with the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, CEO of the Ministry of Immigration, Director of Refugees Department, MIRPS National Technical Team, Diplomatic Corps, UNCT, Refugee organizations, and UNHCR partners.
For more information, contact:
Misty Marin - Senior MIRPS Assistant, at marin@unhcr.org.
Benedetta Pignatti – External Relations Officer, at pignattib@unhcr.org
José Samaniego, UNHCR Regional Director for the Americas and José Egas, Representative for UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office covering Aruba, Belize, Cuba, Curacao, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, & Trinidad & Tobago attended the ceremony.
The Belize Amnesty Program provided asylum seekers and irregular migrants with an alternative pathway to permanent residency. The registration phase concluded on March 31, 2023, resulting in 12,765 applications, including 737 applications under asylum seeker criteria. The Government is finalizing approvals and issuing permanent residency cards; close to 400 asylum seekers have received residency cards.
“UNHCR commends the Government of Belize for its regional leadership in addressing forced displacement and providing durable solutions. With their new permanent residency, asylum-seekers—who viewed Belize as a place to rebuild their lives—can now fully integrate and contribute to the country’s vibrant and diverse society,” expressed José Samaniego, UNHCR Regional Director for the Americas.
UNHCR has partnered with the Government of Belize to support refugees and asylum-seekers since the 1980s. The Amnesty marks a significant step in protecting and stabilizing vulnerable populations.
UNHCR’s Regional Director for the Americas and UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office Representative are in Belize on a four-day visit that includes meetings with the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, CEO of the Ministry of Immigration, Director of Refugees Department, MIRPS National Technical Team, Diplomatic Corps, UNCT, Refugee organizations, and UNHCR partners.
For more information, contact:
Misty Marin - Senior MIRPS Assistant, at marin@unhcr.org.
Benedetta Pignatti – External Relations Officer, at pignattib@unhcr.org