Latin America

The Impact of Deportations in Central America

By Carlos Quintanilla

Guatemala stopped receiving about 100 million dollars of annual income last year due to the deportation of over 113,000 Guatemalan immigrants from Mexico and the US, according to a recent report published in the Central American country.

A document from the International Organization for Migration (OIM), says Mexican authorities have repatriated 90,000 Guatemalans and the US over 23,000 in 2007.

According to the daily news 21st Century, one third of Guatemala's 13 million people are only able to live thanks to the funds sent by their relatives from abroad. That source also cites the lack of programs in Guatemala aimed at reintegrating repatriates and helping them to abandon the idea of going back north.

Migrant Rights' Organization warned that the number of fellow citizens repatriated from the United States could reach 40,000 this year. This could intensify policies against people without identification papers.

Honduras is another Central American country facing the same situation. The number of Hondurans deported from the US reached 5,000 by April, according to figures from the Center for Assistance to the Returned Emigre (CAMR).

The Center estimated that the record registered in 2007, when those deported from the US totaled 29,272, will be surpassed the current year. Around 35,000 deportations are expected by the end of 2008, due to the US's increasingly restrictive migratory policies.

According to CAMR data, 6,000 Hondurans were repatriated by the middle of April.

The National Forum for Migrations to Honduras, asserted recently that people migrate because great number of citizens do not have jobs that allow them to access essential services, as health and education.

According to calculations, 1,050,000 Hondurans, 13.6% of the national population, live abroad.

Central American governments need to start thinking about how to stop their nationals from emigrating, especially highly skilled professionals trained in engineering, architecture or medicine. It is unfair that another nation enjoys the fruits or benefits of these professionals without having invested in their education.

Carlos Quintanilla produces and hosts KPFK's Spanish Language News Program "Noticiero Pac¡fica", which is broadcast over 90.7 FM on Saturdays at 4:00 PM. Noticiero Pac¡fica is the only independent news program focusing on Latin American issues for the Los Angeles area. P. O. Box 761475, Los Angeles, CA 90076. E-mail: <notipaci@hotmail.com>.