U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, whose adoptive mother is Belizean, receives the keys of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, in Belize in 2016. She is a dual Belizean and U.S. citizen. (Photo from Belize Tourism Board)
In these head-spinning political times in the United States, Belize offers its citizens a clear path back home, one that has been available for years.
In the meantime, Belize Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca cited U.S. government sources as confirming that approximately 96 Belizeans, arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs officers, are being held in U.S. detention facilities, reported Breaking Belize News (February 6).
Whether unauthorized U.S. immigrants, legal residents or U.S. citizens, they can take advantage of the Diaspora Returnee Incentive Program, which was established to attract Belizeans who are considering repatriation by offering customs-duty exemptions and reductions.
"Many Belizeans living abroad are reconsidering their future -- whether it's the desire to retire in the warmth of home, reconnect with theirs roots, or navigate the harsh realities of shifting immigration policies", according to Aria Lightfoot, co-host with Bilal Morris of Navel String Connection, a show featuring the news, views and issues of the Belizean diaspora.
Vivienne Acosta, Liaison Officer of the Diaspora Returnee Incentive Program, was the guest on Navel String Connection on February 6 on KREM Radio and XTV and Facebook Live.
"Belize is always ready to welcome them back home," said Vivienne Acosta. She noted that there has been an increase in emails and telephone calls in the past week regarding the returnee program.
In 2021, the Ministry of Tourism took over the diaspora returnee program from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which the Cabinet established in 2009. Since 2021, there have been 200 to 300 applicants, she said.
Vivienne Acosta added:
"(Belize) may have had changes that occurred over the years. But there is nothing quite like home, at the end of the day. We are here, the Ministry is here, ready to assist them with whatever they need, regardless if it's the Diaspora Returnee Incentive Program or if they need help with anything else such as immigration and where they need to go. We assist them with any inquiries that they have. We're here for them overall."
Application for Support in Returning Home
The application for the Diaspora Returnee Incentive Program clearly explains its requirements and incentives.
The application and supporting documents can be submitted by email, one application per household, said Liaison Officer Vivienne Acosta. Once submitted, a decision usually takes two weeks. The approval letter is valid for six months.
Co-host Bilal Morris, of Navel String Connection, attested to the "fluid" process he experienced when he returned to Belize from Los Angeles in 1995 for five years.
When the approval letter is ready, Vivienne Acosta said that she would email or call the applicant, notifying them that their letter would be available for pick-up at the Ministry of Finance in Belmopan, the nation's capital. If the applicant is not available, someone else may be sent on their behalf. However, the approved applicant must present the original letter of approval to Belize Customs & Excise or pay full duty.
The liaison officer stressed that applicants should be careful to list all household and personal effects in their application because Customs would apply full charges to any unlisted items. Also, she said that the items should be listed at their depreciated value as they are worth less through the wear and tear of use.
Contact Information
To contact the returnee program at the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, email vivienne.acosta@tourism.gov.bz, sandra.mahler@tourism.gov.bz, or telephone (501) 227-9581.
The Diaspora Returnee Incentive Program describes itself as seeking Belizeans who are possibly considering a return home and have funds to invest in their communities here in Belize, either in housing or business. It also seeks Belizeans who have a reoccurring monthly pension or income from a guaranteed source, which they would be depositing and spending in the local economy. It foresees economic and social benefits through its implementation.
A person who has been approved for the diaspora returnee program will be entitled:
-- To enter and remain in Belize with his/her dependents in accordance with current immigration laws at the time of entry;
-- Upon entering Belize, the returnee would be permitted to import into the country the following --
a. Personal effects free of all import duties and taxes (up to $20,000 USD in value);
b. Tools of Trade: personal tools of trade (required proof of trade such as a license) with a maximum value to be determined by the Ministry of Finance;
c. Approved personal transportation free of all import duties and taxes, excluding the environment tax;
d. Only one personal vehicle would qualify for this exemption. However, a vehicle of trade, such as an excavator for a construction worker registered the business, also would be exempt from import duty and be subject only to the environmental tax.
Liaison Officer Vivienne Acosta pointed out that the normal regular vehicle tax is about 25 percent of the vehicle value compared to the environmental tax, which would be 3 percent to 5 percent. A 4-cylinder car would be charged 3 percent, and a 6- and 8-cylinder car would be charged 5 percent, according to Belize Customs & Excise. The returnee program advises that the vehicle be no more then five years old, said the liaison officer.
Who Qualifies
To qualify for the Diaspora Returnee Incentive Program, applicants must be citizens of Belize, such as through birth or naturalization by descent, and have resided outside of Belize for 10 consecutive years, she said.
Documents, in support of the application, should be notarized, said the liaison officer. Depending on the situation, they may include a copy of the Belize birth certificate; Belize naturalization certificate; marriage certificate; Belize passport (photo page of applicant and dependents), and proof of foreign residency.
Proof of foreign residency may include tax returns; Social Security reports; official school record; leasing agreement; official employer's record including a letter or check stub; certified copy of passport; DD-124 military discharge form, and other official records, which must be approved by the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations on a case-by-case basis, according to the application.
The Diaspora Returnee Incentive Program only can be participated in one time.
For non-Belizeans, the Qualified Retirement Program facilitates eligible persons, who meet income requirements, to live, retire and relax permanently in Belize, according to the Belize Tourism Board.
68,100 Emigrants Compared to 60,000 Immigrants
Belize has a population of 441,471. Emigrants number 68,100 compared to 60,000 immigrants. Immigrants are primarily from Guatemala (about 26,000); Honduras (about 9,500); United States (about 5,500), and Mexico (about 4,000), according to International Migration in the Caribbean, Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Development (June 2, 2023); The Belize Case, Belize Ministry of Human Development, Families & Indigenous People’s Affairs.
96 Deportees
What about the 96 detained Belizeans? Are they eligible to apply for the Diaspora Returnee Incentive Program?
Yes.
After their deportation to Belize, the detainees have one year to organize and submit their diaspora returnee application. The timeframe of one year after arrival in Belize applies to all applicants.
Belize Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has promised publicly that only persons with criminal backgrounds or who are wanted by the Police Department will be detained on their arrival in Belize. Others simply will be processed and not have to sign in or make other arrangements to keep authorities aware of their whereabouts, reported Breaking Belize News (February 6).
Unconfirmed Numbers
According to "credible reports", which Belize Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca stressed had not been confirmed, U.S. authorities are "actively looking for about 891 Belizeans who are what they call 'non-detainees', who are people who have been given orders of removal but did not show up back at court or that type of thing", reported Breaking Belize News.
There is concern of Caribbean leaders that misinformation is being spread on social media about numbers of non-detainees, reported The Guardian (February 11). For example, a list of 1,445,549 million noncitizens from 207 countries on Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s non-detained docket with final orders of removal was obtained from Immigration and Customs Enforcement by Fox News and published on December 11, 2024.
The list does not seem to be corroborated by another media outlet.
"While the Donald Trump administration and its media supporters have depicted an unprecedented and sweeping crackdown on irregular immigrants, the scale of the project remains unclear," reported The Guardian.
Minister Fonseca said that U.S. authorities are working to verify the numbers. However, whatever the number, he emphasized the need for the government to implement measures which will support returning citizens.
"Belize is fully committed to working with the United States government on bringing back our Belizean nationals to Belize safely and in a dignified manner," said the minister.
Other Caribbean Nations' Response
Belize's attitude is expected to be mirrored by the 15 members and six associate members of CARICOM (Caribbean Community), the oldest integration movement in the developing world.
Antigua's Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald (Sanders), said in Caribbean Life (January 25):
"The governments of some countries . . . have declared that they will not accept deportees. But that position is most unlikely to be adopted by the majority of the English-speaking nations of CARICOM, whose societal character and principles would not permit them to turn their backs on their own."
Antigua Ambassador Sir Ronald and Barbados' Ambassador to CARICOM, David Commissiong, also echoed Belize Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca's call for a need to prepare for deportees, a concern also shared by the hosts of Navel String Connection.
According to Caribbean Life, David Commissiong told the Today online publication:
"Caribbean countries have to be concerned because the U.S. has been a prime migration destination for our people, and there are many CARICOM citizens or people of CARICOM ancestry in the U.S.
"So, I think that beyond just concern, our countries would be well advised to be proactive and to put some contingency plans in place. If, as seems likely, significant numbers of our people will be deported back home, we have to be prepared for that. We need to give some thoughts on how we respond and how we would be able to help."
Also, according to Caribbean Life, Antigua Ambassador Sir Ronald wrote in a syndicated column:
"Absorbing large numbers of deportees suddenly can have a disrupting effect on the social services of CARICOM governments, particularly in relation to healthcare and education. The additional strain could exacerbate unemployment and, potentially, contribute to a rise in crime rates."
CARICOM heads of state are scheduled to meet February 19-21 in Barbados for its 48th regular meeting under the theme: Strength in Unity: Forging Caribbean Resilience, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.
Barbados' Ambassador to CARICOM, David Commissiong had said that the mid-February regional summit "should provide the ideal chance for a standard policy and approach to involuntary returning residents, saying that by then, the situation should have become even more apparent", reported Caribbean Life.