OPPOSITION OUTRAGE AT GOB “INSTANT NATURALIZATION” DRIVE

The People.s United Party condemns the desperate mass „instant naturalizations. which are

currently taking place in Belmopan at the George Price Center as grossly disrespectful to the

Father of the Nation and the people of Belize.

Due process and the necessary rigorous scrutiny are being ignored on naturalization applications,

and many of those persons who are being sworn in as instant Belizeans do not even meet the

necessary criteria for citizenship.

Not only are applicants reportedly obtaining nationality on the same day as the presentation of

their application supported by the relevant documents, but in the case of some applications, that

necessary documentation is incomplete, lacking and even simply unverifiable.

Not content with this assault on our nationality laws, the deadline for registration of voters has

now been extended from January 10th to January 20th, 2012 in order to facilitate these newly

minted citizens, so that they can registered to exercise the right to vote in upcoming elections.

The People.s United Party denounces this reprehensible corruption of our laws, and reminds all

Belizeans that in 2010, we issued urgent warnings about GOB.s Immigrant Amnesty Program as

set out in Cabinet Paper Number 119 of 2010.

This program has now been accelerated and grossly distorted, notwithstanding the protestations

of the Prime Minister on Channel 5 News on January 5, 2011, that “There was never, never any

programme contemplated that would have given anybody nationality. What was contemplated

was permanent residency to some people who are here; admittedly illegal.” and “You were

never talking about creating voters. They would get their permanent residence and they would

have to wait five years to become Belizean nationals.” At that time, Barrow claimed it was

because of timing and a lack of money, saying “… because of a lack of funds, because of

priorities that will see us spending our resources on other things, we are not going to proceed

with the programme.”.

Now the Immigrant Amnesty program is well underway and is being used to create not

permanent residents of Belize, but instant CITIZENS and VOTERS. The Prime Minister of

Belize is now a proven liar.

Citizenship is a privilege - not a right; and on behalf of the people of Belize, as the constitutional

Opposition, the PUP calls for an immediate cessation of this instant naturalization program, and

a detailed investigation of the entire Immigrant Amnesty program in order to ensure that all

necessary legalities are met and all due diligence is performed in respect of all applicants for

citizenship and permanent residence.

The PUP has always been welcoming to those who are genuine applicants for Belizean

citizenship and who have followed proper immigration procedures and due process.

A government which does not respect the law – which in fact so distorts and breaks the law -

cannot any longer command the respect and obedience of its citizens to the law. This UDP

Administration is lawless, shameless and drunk on power. It is time to Restore Belize – restore

democracy, the rule of law and true constitutional power in our Nation.