PM Briceño To Trump: “Immigrants Built The United States”  

Earlier this week, the US Department of State announced that it will suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Belize, starting January 21, citing concerns over applicants relying on welfare. But what does it mean for Belizeans hoping to live or work in the U.S. and for bilateral relations between the two countries. Prime Minister John Briceño says the decision appears to be driven by broad misconceptions about immigrants and insists Belize remains a reliable partner of the United States, even as key details of the policy remain unclear.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“ I don’t think it has anything to do with CARICOM. I think it’s just a belief that where President Trump for some reason have this misconceived notion that foreigners or immigrants when they go to United States, they are going to just to benefit from the system, when every record will tell you that immigrants have built the United States. So it has nothing to do with punishing anybody but you notice about seventy-five countries and unfortunately Belize is one of them yet, we really consider ourselves a good partner with the United States.”

 

Reporter

“There’s still more clarity that’s needed?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Of course, a lot of clarity is left because we still don’t know. And and even up to yesterday, the United – the United States Embassy in Belize was not sure. They have not gotten a full briefing as to what’s taking place.”