A Lifeline in Honduras: Cash From the U.S.

Money sent back to Central America has become vital to families and economies in Central America

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras—César Gutiérrez’s mother, an illegal immigrant who works at a Houston restaurant, sends a lot back to her native country.

A recent care package to her son included jeans, Nike sneakers, Samsung phones, a bike helmet, cans of Del Monte green beans, all of which are cheaper in the U.S. She also sends regular installments of cash, and Mr. Gutiérrez is using the money to build a roof over his garage and buy land for his mother’s new home in a nearby town.

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