Norma finds herself in a crowded airport facility in San Pedro Sula, alongside numerous deported migrants. The room is hot and uncomfortable, the air heavy with perspiration. Under the harsh glow of fluorescent lights, Norma sits with a foam cup of coffee and a small plate of eggs, which is all that awaited her upon her return to Honduras.
Norma, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons, used her life savings of $10,000 to embark on a one-way journey to the north in late October, accompanied by her daughter and granddaughter.
But once her asylum requests were denied by the US, she found herself on a deportation flight. Now, she has returned to Honduras and finds herself once again at the mercy of the same gang, trapped in a never-ending cycle of violence and economic uncertainty that plagues deportees like herself.
“In the migrant processing facility, she expressed her concern, saying, ‘They can locate us in every nook and cranny of Honduras. We are relying on God’s protection, as we have no expectations from the government.'”
With the impending inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in January, the United States is preparing for a wave of mass deportations. This has caused concern in countries like Honduras and other nations in Central America, which have long been a source of migration. These countries are now bracing themselves for a potential increase in vulnerable migrants, a situation for which they are unprepared.
“We lack the capacity.”
According to Jason Houser, former chief of staff in the Biden administration’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador could be among the countries most affected by mass deportations. These countries have the highest number of undocumented immigrants living in the US, second only to Mexico.
The Trump administration may prioritize the deportation of “the most vulnerable” migrants from countries like Venezuela, as they refuse to accept deportation flights from the U.S. This strategy aims to rapidly increase deportation numbers by focusing on individuals with removal orders but no criminal record, according to Houser.
“Hondurans, Guatemalans, and Salvadorans should be extremely concerned because the Trump officials are determined to push the limits of the law,” warned Houser.
Returning migrants and the support networks assisting deportees in the Northern Triangle countries express concerns that their repatriation could exacerbate existing economic and humanitarian crises, ultimately leading to a further increase in migration.
“We don’t have the capacity to accommodate such a large number of people,” expressed Antonio Garcia, Deputy Foreign Minister of Honduras. He further added, “There’s scarce resources available for deportees, making them the least prioritized group for assistance.”
Returning to the United States
Since 2015, around half a million deportees have arrived in Honduras. As they descend from planes and buses, they are welcomed with coffee, small plates of food, and bags of toothpaste and deodorant. While some exhale in relief, thankful to be free from the harsh conditions of US detention facilities, others cry, overwhelmed by panic.
“We’re uncertain about our next steps,” expressed a woman from a group of deportees who anxiously awaited their turn as a man briskly typed on a keyboard.
Approximately 5% of Honduras’ population, which amounts to around 560,000 individuals, currently resides in the United States without legal status, as per official data from the US government. Migration experts believe that out of this population, approximately 150,000 individuals can be identified and swiftly deported.
Garcia acknowledged that the government does provide some assistance to returnees, but the reality is that most of them are released with minimal support into a country that is plagued by gang violence. As a result, they face limited opportunities for employment, making it difficult for them to pay off the overwhelming debts they have accumulated. Additionally, individuals like Norma find themselves in a particularly precarious situation, unable to go back to their homes due to the constant presence of gang members that surround their residences.
Norma expressed uncertainty about the reasons behind the targeting, but she holds the belief that her relative, who was killed, had previous conflicts with a gang.
According to Garcia, even with the crackdown, it is estimated that up to 40% of Honduran deportees manage to find their way back to the United States.
The world is facing a potential humanitarian catastrophe.
Larissa Martinez, 31, faced numerous challenges when she returned to Honduran society after being deported from the U.S. in 2021. With her three children in tow, she embarked on the journey driven by economic desperation and the abandonment by her husband, who had left her for another woman. As a single mother, she sought a better life in the United States.
After coming back to Honduras, Martinez has dedicated the last three years to finding employment. Her motivation stems from not only providing for her children but also repaying the USD 5,000 she borrowed from her relatives for the journey back home.
According to Cesar Munoz, a leader at Mennonite Social Action Commission, Honduran authorities have neglected deportees like Martinez, leaving organizations like his to fill the void. However, the continuous influx of three deportation flights per week has already stretched aid networks to their limits.
An increase in the number of deportations could have a devastating impact on aid networks, migrants, and their families. Moreover, countries like Honduras, which heavily depend on remittances from the US, may suffer severe economic consequences as this crucial source of support is disrupted.
Munoz expressed grave concern about the imminent humanitarian crisis on the horizon.
Latin American nations connected to the US through migration and trade have responded with a range of reactions to Trump’s return.
Honduras’ Deputy Foreign Minister García expressed doubt regarding Trump’s threat, highlighting the positive impact that immigrants have on the U.S. economy and the difficulties associated with carrying out mass deportations. Aid leaders, including Muñoz, argue that Honduras is not adequately readying itself for a possible increase in deportations.
Clusters of deportees eagerly board buses bound for the U.S., driven by poverty, violence, and the hope for a better life. Despite Trump’s crackdown, García believes that it would be “impossible” to completely stop people from migrating.
As the number of deportations carried out by both U.S. and Mexican authorities continues to rise, smugglers are now providing migrants with a new option: packages that offer them three attempts to reach the United States. Even if migrants are apprehended and sent back to their home countries during their first attempt, they still have two more opportunities to make it to the U.S.
After spending three months in a Texas facility, 26-year-old Kimberly Orellana has recently returned to Honduras. Upon her arrival in San Pedro Sula, she found herself waiting at a bus station for her mother to come and pick her up.
However, she had no choice but to plan her return as her 4-year-old daughter Marcelle was eagerly waiting for her. Marcelle had been taken care of by a friend in North Carolina during her absence.
Separated by smugglers while crossing the Rio Grande, they hoped to increase their chances of successfully making it across. Orellana made a promise to her daughter that they would be reunited.
Marcelle asks her mother, “Are you sure you’re coming?” during their phone conversation.
Orellana, holding tightly onto her Honduran passport, expressed her uncertainty about fulfilling the promise she made to herself. She acknowledged the challenges of her current situation and wondered if she would ever be able to overcome them. However, driven by her strong bond with her daughter, she felt compelled to try again. Her daughter was her sole motivation and the reason she refused to give up.
Stay up to date with the latest business news, breaking news events, and daily market updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App today for all your news needs.
Honduran migrants are preparing for a potential crisis amid the Trump administration’s plans for widespread deportations.