Immigrants from Central American countries have been coming to the American border in record-breaking numbers.  Specially people from Guatemala and Honduras. They have been spurred to immigrate by violence, Covid, and natural disasters.

Immigration from Central American countries has increased by tens of thousands in the past years. “The COVID-19 pandemic’s exacerbation of pre-existing issues – including pervasive crime, high murder rates, government corruption, the effects of climate change, and economic hardship – has only increased the need for many in the region to migrate,” said Paula Dupraz -Dobias, writer for The New Humanitarian. 

People in Central America live on less than $1.90 a day. Many children can not go to school because they are working, starting as young as  5 and 6 years old. “When children cannot go to school, they are deprived of more than just their education. Without structured school time, children lose their routine and are unable to socialize with their friends. Some rely on school-feeding programmes and will therefore miss what may be their only nutritious meal of the day. Besides increasing their exposure to undernutrition, being out of school means children are at greater risk of other dangers at home or in their neighborhood, such as child labour,  trafficking, adolescent pregnancy, sexual exploitation and abuse, child marriage (or early unions), and violence,” said Unicef. Young kids who should be in school and not out in danger are getting on one bus after another selling candy. They should be in school learning and trying to get a better life, but they only think about getting something to eat with the money they get from their sales.  

El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras are the countries that send most immigrants and are making  “joint efforts for secure, safe, and regulated migration,” says Roberto Velasco, Mexico’s director for North American affairs. He wants people not to feel pressure to migrate by providing economic development in southern Mexico and Central America.

“They are people who are trying to fight for a better life for themselves and their families,” said Isidra Mayen, a resident of Guatemala.

Other than poverty and violence, there are natural disasters. Hurricane Eta and Lota have brought down dozens of houses and bridges so people don’t have a place to stay and is hard to get around. Honduras’ airport has submerged making travel even harder.

Guatemala doesn’t have as much government support so Guatemalans have to think of solutions by themselves. Near the border with Mexico, there are vast amounts of people crowded together and trying to come up with creative solutions to cross lakes created by the storms. “Is a Complicated/ complex issue Government needs a comprehensive plan,” says Ms. Maria Genca, Hall ESOL teacher. 

Covid affected Central America, as well, by making the economy worse than it was before. People required medical supplies, but there weren’t enough. People lost their jobs and family members who financially supported them. This increased poverty.

As of now, there are 15.9 million people in poverty.  “I think that the country’s government should take it more seriously and come up with plans and act on it so it can prevent a lot of problems,” says Hall student, Kat.