US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA2242

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