Hondurans Increase Remittances to Families Amid Fears of Deportation

Sun Dec 28 2025 21:09:57 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Hondurans living in the U.S. are sending record amounts of cash back home as fears of deportation rise under current immigration policies.

As a result of heightened fears regarding deportation, many Hondurans in the United States are increasing financial support to their families in Honduras. Elías Padilla, an Uber driver, reflects on his halted migration plans while sending remittances, which have surged by 26% in recent months despite significant risks and challenges. The economic impact of U.S. immigration policy is further examined, revealing a complex interplay between fear, family support, and the illegal economy.

For over a year, Elías Padilla had been saving up to make the journey from Honduras to the United States as an undocumented immigrant.

As an Uber driver in the snarled streets of the capital, Tegucigalpa, it hasn't been easy for him to put money aside. On bad days he makes as little as $12 in 12 hours.

Now, though, his plans are on hold.

The images of undocumented immigrants in major US cities being dragged away by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have deterred at least one would-be immigrant in Central America from travelling north.

I want to improve my life conditions because we earn very little here, Elías explains as we drive around the city. Take this line of work, for example: an Uber driver in the US makes in an hour what I'd make in a day.

Like most Honduran immigrants, Elías says the main aim of reaching the US would be to send remittances home.

But I see what Trump is doing, and it's made me think twice, he admits.

Elías's change of heart is welcomed by the architects of US President Donald Trump's immigration policies, dissuading hopeful immigrants from attempting to leave Honduras. However, this situation has resulted in a boon for the Honduran economy; undocumented immigrants in the US are sending home more remittances than ever before.

A report indicates that between January and October this year, there was a 26% rise in remittances to Honduras, amounting to over $10.1 billion in the first nine months alone. This wave of financial support is driven by the urgency to safeguard families before any potential detentions happen.

Marcos, living in the US, shared that he sends home most of his earnings to ensure his family's basic needs are met. As Trump's administration enforces strict immigration policies, many Hondurans recognize a 'race against time' to support families before facing deportation or detention.

Jimmy, a former coyote (people smuggler), states that costs have significantly risen, making it harder for individuals to embark on the journey to the US. Elías and others reflect on the enduring economic challenges in Honduras, asserting that despite the obstacles, migration remains a pressing need.