Salvadoran national fined and detained pending deportation for overstaying visa in Belize

Posted: Friday, August 30, 2024. 10:08 am CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 52-year-old Salvadoran national, Carlos Vanegas Calderon, who entered Belize on Valentine’s Day and overstayed his visa, has been fined and detained pending deportation. Calderon, who had been residing in the Holy Emmanuel area of Belize City, appeared in Court #2 on Thursday morning, where he was charged with being a prohibited immigrant.

Calderon legally entered Belize on February 14, 2024, through the Western Border Station and was granted a 16-day visitor’s permit, which expired on February 29, 2024. After his visa application was denied on May 2, 2024, Calderon remained in the country in violation of the Immigration Act.

In court, Calderon, who was unrepresented, explained that he was not informed of the necessary procedures by the Immigration Department, stating that he would have returned to El Salvador if he had known. After pleading guilty, Calderon was fined $1,000 plus a $5.00 court fee, which he promptly paid.

Despite avoiding a custodial sentence, Calderon was taken to the Belize Central Prison in Hattieville, where immigrants are held until their repatriation. The Immigration Department in Belmopan will now arrange for Calderon’s return to El Salvador within a reasonable timeframe.

 

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