Brazilian Nationals Nabbed for Illegal Entry Spared Fine and Confinement in Belize

A group of Brazilian nationals who entered Belize illegally were spared a fine and confinement when they appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford this morning. The four men and five women were nabbed by Roaring Creek Police and handed over to the Cayo Immigration Investigation Unit. They were brought to court today, pleaded guilty and went back into immigration custody until deportation could be arranged. Reports to the court indicate that the ten adults were found with five children shortly after they entered Belize through the Mopan River. The minors were handed over to the Ministry of Human Development, and will be reunited with the adults in time for deportation. The Brazilian nationals have been identified as 29-year-old, Renata Lorraine Silva Lino; 42-year-old, Eliete Grizote Celestino; 37-year-old, Rogelio Simplicio Dos Santos; 46-year-old, Evaldo Arruda Da Silva; 45-year-old, Ezekiel Gomes Pereira; 38-year-old, Ellizama De Lima Rodrigues; 31-year-old, Sylvania Aline Da Silva; 43-year-old, Raquel Homes Pereira; 38-year-old, Sealite Goncalves Rodrigues, and 37-year-old, Douglas Dias Moreira. According to our court reporter, the prosecutor for the Immigration Department noted that they were not seeking a fine or confinement in this matter since there were five minors involved and they were looking at the humanitarian aspect of the case. In ordinary cases, the minimum fine for illegal entry would be one thousand dollars each or six months in prison.