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Immigration Minister Kareem Musa has provided a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the entry and continued stay of nine Haitian girls who were brought to Belize in June 2023. The case returned to public attention this week following disclosures by former Ombudsman Major Retired Herman Gilbert Swaso. He raised questions about the children’s immigration status, guardianship arrangements and overall welfare after they were placed in the care of persons associated with Beauty Out of Ashes, a residential foster home for girls.
Musa explained what the Immigration Department understood about the circumstances under which the minors entered Belize, as well as the conditions attached to their stay in the country.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Immigration: “Prior to me taking up the post as Minister of Immigration, I believe it was sometime in the year 2023. It’s not four, it’s actually nine Haitian minors entered the country with two adult companions. They are not related to these nine Haitian minors, but from my understanding and information they were the foster home taking care of these girls in Haiti. They received, again based on information provided to me, they received permission to travel out of the country but temporary, not to be permanent. When they came into the country in 2023 they were allowed into the country based on a humanitarian consideration because of the turmoil, as you know, that has been taking place in Haiti. Since then, the Ministry of Human Development has carried out social inquiry reports. I’m told that there is a second social inquiry report that is going to be carried out to determine the best interests of the children whether it is best for them to stay here. I don’t know whether the parents are requesting the children back but in my humble opinion, if it is that the parents in Haiti are requesting the children back, then they should be returned with their parents. But like I said, from my knowledge and information, they had received clearance to leave but on a temporary basis. So we’ve been in communication with the various UN agencies as it relates to this particular case and so we are going to be carrying out along with the Human Development Ministry this social inquiry report to determine the best interests and best next steps for these children.”
The former Ombudsman says his office began examining the case after receiving a complaint in May 2025 from United Nations protection agencies, including UNICEF Belize and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. According to Swaso, the investigation raised concerns about whether the required guardianship documents had been verified, whether the girls’ immigration or asylum status had been regularized and whether a formal Best Interests Determination had been completed. He also cited reports of emotional distress among the children, possible interference with independent interviews and circumstances that he believed warranted examination for potential trafficking indicators. Those claims remain allegations, and Swaso has acknowledged that his investigation did not establish criminal wrongdoing by any individual or organization. Musa’s explanation provides the Immigration Department’s account of its involvement, but questions remain for other agencies responsible for child protection and refugee matters. These include whether the girls received independent welfare assessments, who currently holds legal guardianship and what action was taken after concerns were brought to the authorities. Swaso has since filed a Freedom of Information request seeking an update from Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre on whether the investigation was reassigned, suspended, concluded or remains ongoing following the end of his tenure in December 2025. The matter is also attracting scrutiny over the timing of the disclosure, since the concerns were reportedly known to the former Ombudsman’s office months before his departure but were not raised publicly until recently.
English (US) ·