Elusive Student F-1 Visa; Barca Academy entry on hold

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Sept. 13, 2018– Tonight, a new set of outstanding Belizeans, including legendary sports men and women, are being hailed as Belizean Patriots at the National Awards Ceremony taking place at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts.

But yesterday, a young Belizean, standing on the threshold of dreams, received a heart wrenching “strike two” call from the US Embassy of Belize, when, for the second consecutive week, after filing all required papers, paying all required fees, providing all requested endorsement letters from local authorities as well as from the inviting school/academy in the U.S., 16-year-old Jardehl Muschamp’s application for a Student F-1 visa was turned down by the US Embassy official on duty. Last week, it was a female Embassy official doing the task; this week, a male Embassy official gave Jardehl’s dad, Hilberto Muschamp, the disappointing verdict.

A recent graduate of Independence High School in Mango Creek, Stann Creek District, Jardehl, who recently attended the Barca Academy tryouts in Casa Grande, Arizona, while travelling on a US Tourist Visa, would otherwise be accompanying his school football team to the CODICADER Games, which are scheduled to be in Panama from September 14-23 this year.  Among his endorsement letters was one from the President of the Football Federation of Belize, Sergio Chuc; and a phone call plus verification documents from the Barca Academy representative, showing all payments made and acceptance certified into the Barca Academy program.

Hilly said this morning that Jardehl was emotional when he received news of the second rejection by the Embassy.

What’s next? When filing for a U.S. visa, Belizeans are well aware, whether or not the application is approved, “yo money dead.” And new cash, over BZE $350.00, has to be paid with each application. Aside from all the other fees paid to secure acceptance into the Barca program, that makes twice now that Jardehl has had to pay for his visa application, with nothing to show for it.

A successful shrimp farm manager, Hilly also has some well-to-do friends in the lucrative business who have helped immensely, with donations nearing BZE $12,000.00, much of it from a wide cross section of patriotic Belizeans. “If we end up having to give up the dream because of not being able to get the visa, I guess we’ll be returning what’s left of all the donations to the kind donors with our sincere thanks,” said Hilly.

Should Jardehl apply again? Should he give up on the big dream, consider it a lost opportunity, and join his classmates on the CODICADER trip to Panama?

At this sports desk, we are in support of Hilly’s efforts on behalf of his son. Whatever is the Embassy’s concern, and Hilly wishes he knew, it is hoped that someone of authority, perhaps the Minister of Sports or the Minister of Foreign Affairs could help to make a breakthrough. And, of course, some more prayers from those so inclined?

This is not just about Jardehl, an outstanding student athlete, but what he represents, and the hope his entry into this elite program could ignite among a generation of young Belizeans.

Please reconsider, Uncle Sam?