Will CARICOM Free Movement Strain Belize/U.S. Relations?  

Even as Belize takes a significant move toward regional unity with the new CARICOM free movement agreement, there’s a growing concern that’s hard to ignore. Could this open-door policy make Belize a hotspot for illegal migration into the U.S.? Immigration officials have already turned away several Jamaican nationals over suspicions about their real intentions. So, with borders set to open wider, is Belize at risk of becoming a regional transit point? Prime Minister John Briceño says the country must stay vigilant and protect its national interest. 

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Unfortunately the United States Government holds us responsible when anybody comes here and they try to get across the U.S., which is unfair and unfortunate. We have seen a number of Jamaicans, who have every right to come and visit Belize, every single right and they can stay in Belize if they wish, as a CARICOM national. Unfortunately, many of them come to Belize and disappear and there are many instances you find out that they are across the U.S. or arrested. So we have to protect our interest and do everything possible to discourage that type of illegal migration into the United States. So that is the only reason we do that.”