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Can Suspect Nationality Documents Be Cancelled
posted (October 11, 2017)
So, while Senator Lizarraga wanted to find out if there would be any police investigation into the Audit Report, PUP Senator Eamon Courtenay wanted to know what CEO Edmund Zuniga's stance was on a wholesale cancellation of all fraudulently obtained nationalities.

Courtenay pressed Zuniga on that topic, and here's how that part of the hearing went:

Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"You are aware that there has been evidence before this committee that many people have Nationality who did not qualify, you are aware of that evidence?"

Edmund Zuniga- CEO, Ministry of Immigration
"Yes."

Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"There is a list of 2,000 or add people who received Nationality directly connected to elections many of whom from testimony in here did not qualify. Is anything being done with respect to that list?"

Edmund Zuniga
"Not as far as I know, no."

Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Is there any reason why nothing is being done?"

Edmund Zuniga
"No, I just believe it's a matter of priority."

Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Would you agree and would you support an immediate review of that list, the files, calling in the persons and, where they were not lawfully granted, revocation of Nationality for those persons."

Edmund Zuniga
"Well, an immediate review, yes or a review to take place as expeditiously as possible. Revocation of Nationalities in my view is a little complex. First of all, it's matter for the Minister of Immigration. But let's say, for instance, the person who got his Nationality 10, 15 years ago, who now has a Belizean child, you revoke that person's Nationality it has a kind of a domino effect. One has to be able to determine how we are going to deal with those line of effects and we haven't reached that point in our conversations."

Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"We can pursue that discussion CEO but why does it matter? If that person fraudulently obtained Belizean Nationality, why would you as CEO concern yourself with the consequence of the revocation of that Nationality?"

Edmund Zuniga
"I would be concerned because there are two things: one, I believe that it is not in all cases that those who get the final product were aware that they may have been duked but also, you might end up with individuals who are stateless. So, what happens?"

Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"I just want to be clear, your position is that before Nationality is revoked for a person who obtained it fraudulently, the question of the consequence of that revocation needs to be considered before the Minister decides to actually do the revocation?"

Edmund Zuniga
"I personally believe so. I believe we must look at it."

Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"Very disturbing, but I respect your position."

We understand that the Senate Committee intends to call Labour Commissioner Ivan Williams and the Deputy Registrar of the Vital Statistics Unit, Patricia Hinkson. They want to hear from these witnesses to find out if documents granted by these two departments affect Immigration. The concern is that work permits may be fraudulently used to establish history in Belize, which can then be used to get nationality. And as we told you, Vital Stats and stolen birth certificates are a regular route to fraudulent nationality.

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