PM Delivers Passport and Nationality Documents To Belizeans Abroad

Hundreds of Belizeans living in Houston, Texas, and surrounding areas are now officially Belizean passport holders after claiming their birthright during a Pass‑Back ceremony. Prime Minister John Briceño and Immigration Minister Kareem Musa personally handed over the documents, marking a milestone moment for the Belizean diaspora. Minister Musa says more than three hundred Belizeans received passports, nationality certificates, and citizenship documents by descent. The initiative forms part of a wider government push to strengthen ties with Belizeans abroad and bring essential immigration services closer to home. Officials add that the program not only supports citizens overseas but also promotes continued engagement and investment in Belize. Earlier today, we spoke with Immigration Minister Kareem Musa by telephone from Houston.

 

On the Phone: Kareem Musa, Minister of Immigration

“From Houston, Texas, we’re pleased to report that we are having our Pass Back ceremony here in Houston. And we have a very special treat for all the Belizean that live in Houston and the surrounding areas because we have been joined by our Prime Minister. I don’t know where he gets the energy from after three days of being in the House but here we are today in Houston servicing some three hundred Belizeans, providing a renewal of their passports, nationality certificates, certificates by descent. So many people all across Houston they’re excited for this opportunity because their children get to have nationality certificates by virtue of descent. We appreciate what they do for Belize in so many ways and when you speak to Belizean over here, they all say one thing, ‘Belize is our home. We want to go back to Belize. We want to invest in the Belize and we want to continue to support our families back in Belize in whatever way we can.’ And so this is all part of a very important network that we are fostering with our diaspora community. I believe this coming August there may be some outreach that we’re doing in Chicago and thereafter planning other destinations as well. And it’s very important for us to note because I know a lot of. -everybody’s worried is this something that’s costing the government. As a matter of fact, it is revenue positive? We’re actually earning money for Belize.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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