Hondurans in the US Increase Remittances Amid Deportation Fears

Sun Dec 28 2025 13:43:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid rising fears of detention under Trump-era immigration policies, Honduran immigrants in the United States are sending record amounts of money back home, highlighting the economic pressures and aspirations intertwined with migration.

Hondurans living in the US are sending more remittances back home than ever due to fear of deportation as President Trump's strict immigration policies take effect. As would-be immigrants like Elías Padilla reconsider their plans to migrate, those already in the US are focusing on supporting their families financially, leading to a significant increase in remittances despite the risks of detention. The economic implications illustrate a complex relationship between immigration policies and the livelihoods of immigrants and their families back in Honduras.

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 (£9) 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, their wrists in zip-ties, 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. An Uber driver in the US makes in an hour what I'd make in a day. Like many Honduran immigrants, he states the main aim of reaching the US would be to send remittances home, but changes in the political landscape have made him hesitant.

Elías's change of heart reflects a broader trend observed among Hondurans in the US. Despite a crackdown on undocumented immigrants, the amount of remittances sent back to Honduras has seen a significant increase. Reports indicate a 26% rise in remittances to Honduras between January and October compared with the previous year, with many Hondurans feeling a pressing need to send money to their families while they can.

Marcos, another Honduran immigrant, shared his experience over the phone, explaining that he has increased his remittances significantly. Most of the money I send home is for the family to cover their basics like food, he said. Increasing from sending $500 a month to around $1,200 now, he emphasizes the urgency of sending money home before he potentially gets caught in ICE's dragnet.

As more Hondurans focus on sending financial support back home, it underscores the complex implications of immigration policies not just on migration flows but also on the economies both here and in Honduras. Many families rely heavily on these remittances, illustrating how deeply intertwined economic stability in Honduras is with the decisions of immigrants living in the US.

Ultimately, while deportation fears are leading to reductions in migration attempts, they simultaneously fuel an upsurge in financial support as immigrants brace themselves for uncertain futures, underpinning the resilience and dedication of families separated by borders.