The Flip Side to Illegal Immigration

For the millions of men who come into the USA each year illegally, their effort is no joking matter. It is a dangerous journey filled with many hardships and uncertainties which include the risk of capture, detainment and even loss of life.


The argument and debate over illegal immigration in the US has raged on for several decades now. As an American, I have always looked at the pros and cons of the debate from the position of a resident and a tax payer. I'll be the first to admit...the issue is very complicated and often has no clear cut answer. Especially when we place illegal immigration in the light of history; and that only a few hundred years ago.  We too came to a land already inhabited by people who were not all that anxious to receive us. We came for the same reasons most illegals come today; the hope of a better future, for jobs and for freedom. I can't really fault them for that.

Until now, I have never looked at the flip side of illegal immigration. I have never thought to ask the question whether or not illegal immigration is good or bad, beneficial or harmful to the countries these men are leaving. As I have had opportunity to see first hand the issue from this side of the border, I have observed some critical facts.

Several weeks ago I had opportunity to speak with the town manager of Intibucá. I asked him if the youth of the town had jobs or if they were leaving for other places. I was thinking of the larger cities like San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa. He on the other hand, gave me a strange look and began to laugh. "Yes" he said, "They are leaving...they are going to your country." I too began to laugh and we had one of those shared moments of humor, but as I left the office I realized that this was a very sad thing for Honduras. Honduras and other Central American countries are losing their youth. Not only are they losing their youth, but they are losing the movers and the shakers. They are losing the young men who have the intestinal fortitude to make the trip. The ones who have the courage, the daring and the vision to risk all in hopes of a better life. Honduras is losing it's future.

These same men often leave behind young wives and young children. Many do not see them again for several years...or ever. I have worked with many men in the US for whom this is the case. Without a doubt, these men are sending home much needed money which goes into the economy here, but here are some of the sad facts I have witnessed first hand which this exodus has brought to the society here. I am well aware that no one single event can be blamed for the problems that exist here in Honduras, but I know that this issue plays a huge part in these problems.

• Homes without a father present. Many of the young people here are growing up without a father in the house and it is a proven fact that society suffers when this happens.
• Many of these men end up with two families. One in HN and one in the States.
• A lack of available men of marriageable age. There are more women here than men. That vacuum is often filled by the men who are here having a wife and several girlfriends or even two families, with the same result...homes without a father present.
• Teenage alcoholism and truancy is often the case in homes that are receiving income from the States. I recently visited a small mountain village. A group of young men were pointed out to me with the observation that most of them were budding alcoholics. None of them were even even making the effort to find a job. The reason given was that each home had someone in the States sending money back each month. There was no reason to work and every reason to drink.
• Gangs are a huge problem here. Studies show that many boys join gangs as a substitute for the lack of a solid family structure. Poverty too plays into this.
• As I mentioned previously, Honduras is losing their entrepreneurs and motivated work force.

So what is the answer. Although America is often viewed here as the land flowing with milk and honey, I personally don't think that the majority of those who leave illegally for the States really want to go just to be going. If the men here had decent jobs that would provide sustainable incomes for their families, it is my opinion that most men would stay. After all, this is their home, their families, their country.

We are doing our part, small is it may be, to help bring jobs to Honduras through micro lending. Others are working to bring factories and increase exports. As investors begin to recognize the potential that Honduras and other Latin American countries have in the global market, it is my hope that this trend towards economic stability will continue. In doing so, many of the problems that plague both America and Central America because of illegal immigration will begin to be solved automatically.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I see the Church reaching out with much needed spiritual help and encouragement in Honduras. I also see the Church reaching out with physical helps like providing for medical needs, food, education and shelter. These too are good and needed. But, I also want to encourage the Church to reach out and provide jobs. As we work to bring wholeness to Honduras, let us not fail to see that the need to provide for one's family is an obligation and a God given desire inherent in every man. As we work towards bringing wholeness and dignity to those in need, providing jobs should be a huge part of that effort and one that will have a global impact now and for future generations.