American Retiree Fined, Ordered to be Removed After Illegal Entry

An American retiree who entered Belize by sea and failed to regularize his immigration status has been fined by the court and ordered removed from the country.  Sixty-two-year-old Christopher P. Woodruff, a United States national who had been staying at the Belcove Hotel in Belize City, appeared yesterday morning before the Belize City Magistrate’s Court unrepresented. He was charged with failure to produce a visitor’s permit upon demand, contrary to Section 23(1) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 156 of the Laws of Belize.  Woodruff pleaded guilty to the single charge. The Senior Magistrate imposed a non-custodial sentence of a one-thousand-dollar fine plus five dollars court cost, which he was ordered to pay forthwith. In default of payment, he faces six months’ imprisonment.  The court also granted an application by the Immigration Department for Woodruff’s removal from Belize. While Woodruff reportedly expressed a desire to travel onward to Mexico, the removal order directs that he be returned to his native United States.  According to authorities, on Saturday, February 21, at about 10:00 a.m., the Immigration Department was alerted by the Belize Coast Guard to the apprehension of Woodruff, who had entered Belize via maritime means. Investigations revealed he had been in the country for four days without legal authorization.  Immigration officers reported that when questioned, Woodruff was unable to produce a valid visitor’s permit or any official record of lawful entry into Belize. He was subsequently detained and taken before the court to answer to the violation.  Woodruff has been in custody since his detention on Saturday, pending the outcome of the matter.