By Zoila Palma: On February 26, 2026, Melvin Daniel Cortez, known on social media as LA BESTIE, shared his journey from living undocumented in Belize to receiving approval under the Amnesty Programme and ultimately obtaining Permanent Residence status.
The Ministry of Immigration said that for years, Cortez navigated life with uncertainty, striving to study, work, and build a future while carrying the weight of not being legally documented.
Through the Amnesty Programme launched in 2022, that uncertainty was replaced with stability, dignity, and legal recognition.
Today, “Bestie” is able to work, live, and contribute openly and lawfully in Belize.
“His story is personal, but it also represents something far greater.
It reflects the more than 13,000 applications processed under the Amnesty Programme. Behind every file was a story of hardship, sacrifice, perseverance, and hope. Each one carefully reviewed, vetted, and handled with due diligence,” the Ministry noted.
The Ministry also recognized the work of Immigration Clerk 2 Darleni Bustillos, who walked alongside Melvin throughout the process, guiding him through requirements, documentation and offering encouragement and reassurance when the process felt overwhelming.
Her surprise appearance on the Open Your Eyes show on Thursday morning was a reminder that public service is not only procedural, it is profoundly human.
“We also acknowledge Margaret Hernandez, Nationality Officer, who represented the Nationality and Passports Department and spoke to the structured and rigorous process behind the Amnesty Programme. The officers of the Nationality and Passports Department ensured that every approval moved forward with accuracy, accountability, and adherence to due process,” the Ministry added.
The Ministry of Immigration, Governance and Labour extended appreciation to every member of the Amnesty team and the Nationality and Passports Department who processed and reviewed thousands of applications.
“Behind every file number is a life and when service is delivered with integrity, lives are transformed,” the Ministry expressed.
The post Bestie’s path to legal citizenship appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: On February 26, 2026, Melvin Daniel Cortez, known on social media as LA BESTIE, shared his journey from living undocumented in Belize to receiving approval under the Amnesty Programme and ultimately obtaining Permanent Residence status. The Ministry of Immigration said that for years, Cortez navigated life with uncertainty, striving to study, work,
The post Bestie’s path to legal citizenship appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
