BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Oct. 11, 2012

Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse told Amandala today that he is awaiting feedback from Solicitor General Cheryl Krusen on proposed amendments to Belize’s immigration policy and laws, which should tighten visa and passport procedures.

The move comes in the wake of the report that a wanted Lebanese-American, an alleged Hezbollah terrorist, was able to get a Belize passport after stealing the identity of Mennonite, dead since the 70s.

According to Hulse, the amendments are needed to ensure that a person carrying a Belize passport is who they profess to be, and to ensure that persons who obtain Belize visas are “desirable” and not “undesirable.”

Hulse had previously signaled that changes would be proposed in the identification requirements for persons seeking Belizean passports.

Today, he indicated that visa issuance would be more restricted and more time-specific.

Hulse also indicated that the new restrictions and procedures should also reduce the incidences of sex offenders and other criminals fleeing to and settling in Belize.