MEDIA REACTION ON DEPORTATIONS AND NEW ORLEANS,

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002242

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/PD, IIP/T/ES, IIP/G/WHA, PRM, AND WHA/CEN
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL PGOV SMIG KPAO HO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON DEPORTATIONS AND NEW ORLEANS,
NOVEMBER 01, 2005


Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna" on
11/01 entitled "Deportations." "There's no doubt that if it
weren't for the money wired by our compatriots living in the
U.S the economy would be deplorable, our `lempira' would be
drastically devaluated and inflation would be unmanageable.
The money wires are enough to maintain a healthy
international reserve, which authorities calculate are a 5
months worth of imports."

"This year our compatriots were struck by hurricanes that
whipped the south of the United States, mainly New Orleans
was completely devastated. The money wires rose to more
than 1.2 billion dollars. This is because our compatriots
in the U.S., protected by the Temporary Protection Status
which they obtained when they where affected by hurricane
"Mitch," can work legally and obtain better wages than those
that work illegally, and part of their hard work they send
to their relatives back home."

"So far this year 75 thousand Hondurans have been deported
back to Honduras. (Note: This statement counts Hondurans
deported from both the U.S. and Mexico. End Note.) Whether
they were captured trying to enter the U.S. and were
detained by migration authorities along the way, or managed
to enter but remained illegally and possibly were captured
when they broke the law. It is important to insist on the
legal condition of our compatriots in the United States so
that their temporary, legal situation can become something
permanent."

Williard