Posted: Saturday, November 23, 2024. 9:18 am CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Cuban national, detained during a domestic dispute, now faces expulsion from Belize after pleading guilty to an immigration offense. Keylor Arturo Avila Gonzalez, a 33-year-old industrial engineer residing on Mex Avenue, Belize City, was charged with failing to comply with the conditions of his visitor’s permit.
Gonzalez has been living in Belize legally since November 2022 but did not extend his visitor’s permit beyond June 18, 2023. His overstay came to light after Belize City Immigration officers, alongside police from Precinct 1, conducted a visit to his residence on November 20, 2024.
In court, Gonzalez admitted guilt, leading Magistrate Court #7 to impose a fine of $1,000 plus $5 in court costs. He was ordered to pay immediately or face five months’ imprisonment. Unable to pay, Gonzalez is now serving a six-month sentence, after which he will be deported.
During the hearing, Gonzalez expressed a desire to remain in Belize, questioning whether his expulsion was related to the earlier domestic dispute. The prosecution clarified that his removal is based solely on his immigration offense and lack of employment.
Gonzalez, who entered Belize legally via the Philip Goldson International Airport, initially received a visitor’s permit valid until February 2023 and later extended until June 2023. However, failing to obtain further extensions put him in breach of the Immigration Act.
The Immigration Department has applied for Gonzalez’s expulsion to Cuba, citing his illegal status and lack of means to support himself. Despite his objections, the court upheld the department’s decision to proceed with deportation following the completion of his sentence or payment of the fine.
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The post Cuban national sentenced to six months for Immigration violation in Belize; awaits deportation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, November 23, 2024. 9:18 am CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Cuban national, detained during a domestic dispute, now faces expulsion from Belize
The post Cuban national sentenced to six months for Immigration violation in Belize; awaits deportation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.