Some 5,000 Hondurans are currently housed at U.S. migrant detention centers, Honduran first lady Ana Garcia said on Thursday.
"There are some 5,000 compatriots at detention centers in the United States and also a significant number at detention centers in Mexico," Garcia said during a ceremony in Tegucigalpa that kicked off a month-long campaign to discourage irregular immigration.
Alongside her was the deputy foreign minister, Nelly Jerez, who said the campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of migrating, especially with children and adolescents.
Honduras, along with Guatemala and El Salvador, has seen a growing number of migrants heading to the United States.
Mexico, which lies on the migrant route, is leading a drive to tackle the problems that spark forced migration. The government has initially pledged to contribute 30 million U.S. dollars to help fund two projects in Honduras to generate jobs.
The United States has tightened its immigration policy, urging the governments of Central American countries and Mexico to take action to curb the waves of migrants.
SOURCE: Xinhua
