We also got a chance to ask Williams about the status with refugees. None have been accepted, and Williams told us why:
Hon. Beverly Williams, Minister of State - Immigration
"Somewhere in the 1980s I believe was very instrumental in looking at a refugee program. We have the birth of Salvapan, Las Flores and all those Salvapan communities. At this juncture I believe we are impacted by the surrounding nations and the challenges in there as it relates to gang violence and so that is what we are saying for Belize. We have to be very careful when we look at what it is we are introducing to Belize."
"Again, the resource limitation as it relates to refugees on the 1951 convention it speaks to the rights of refugees and the rights of refugees as it pertains to resources and so for us in Belize, we have to ensure that we strike a balance in terms of how we serve our Belizeans persons and how we meet our commitments as it relates to the 1951 convention."
Castillo chairs the Refugee Committee.
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