HONDURAS ESTIMATES 700,000 PEOPLE HAVE IMMIGRATED

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 003402 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR WHA/CEN, CA, AND DRL/PHD DOL FOR ILAB AND BLS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ELAB CVIS PHUM ECON PINR HO SUBJECT: HONDURAS ESTIMATES 700,000 PEOPLE HAVE IMMIGRATED TO U.S. FROM 1970-2000; OTHERS ESTIMATE UP TO 900,000 ¶1. According to the Honduran National Institute of Statistics (INE),more than 700,000 Hondurans have immigrated to the United States from 1970-2000. Others have estimated that between 600,000 - 800,000 Hondurans are in the U.S. illegally with another 100,000 in the U.S. legally. INE estimates that approximately 35,000 people per year leave Honduras. Experts have theorized that escaping poverty has been the driving force behind those traveling to the United States in search of employment. ¶2. According to the Social Forum of External Debt and Development, every 15 minutes a Honduran begins a journey to the United States. The lack of employment and a per capita income of approximately USD 920 in Honduras are powerful push factors. PALMER