Immigration Staff Pulled From Across Belize to Keep Benque Border Open for Easter

Immigration authorities say the western border remains fully operational this Easter weekend after officers from across the country were rushed to Benque Viejo to cover for colleagues who called in sick in what officials have described as a possible “coordinated action”.

“If it is that it is a coordinated action, then unfortunately it would be very much misguided on their part because if there are grievances, there are procedures that need to be followed,” Immigration CEO Tanya Santos said. Ten immigration officers called in sick over two days at the start of the week, with only some providing certified medical documentation.

“It’s extremely concerning, and that is why the timing of all these illnesses is very curious, very interesting,” she said, noting she also checked whether other agencies housed at the border facility had experienced similar absences. They had not.

To plug the gap, the ministry pulled officers from ports across the country, including as far as Punta Gorda and the Philip Goldson International Airport.

On Thursday, Santos and Director of Border Management and Immigration Services Lawrence Thompson visited the Benque border to personally thank the officers who answered the call, presenting them with a token of appreciation.

“Many of them who would have been taking their holidays, but they decided to come and stand with us and make sure that the Belizean people and the travelling public will still be able to move freely without any problems here at the border,” Santos said.

Thompson said the public could rest assured that operations would not be disrupted. “Regardless of the incident that had transpired with the officers calling in sick, we are ensured that the operation of the border is maintained and the national security interest is also maintained,” he said.

Travellers can expect long lines at peak times due to high Easter traffic volume, officials said, but all five immigration booths are staffed and processing.