Tropical storm Keith in September 2000 destroyed over 700,000 acres of crops in Southern Honduras, and as a result imports of basic grains must be increased. Approximately 86,000 people continue to receive food assistance from the international community. Conditions are still such that Honduras cannot safely handle the return of its citizens now protected by TPS in this country. TPS has been vitally important to the reconstruction effort and to maintaining stability in the region. An extension of TPS would therefore be in the national interest of the U.S. Temporary Protected Status and the work authorization that accompanies it, has been a stabilizing influence and has played a crucial role in the recovery efforts.
Unofficial figures place the amount even higher.
Remittancesto Honduras are the second largest source of foreign revenue, and the impact on the population is widespread. These remittances help support family members who may have difficulty finding employment in the aftermath of the economic destruction caused by Mitch. The remittances also provide capital for the startup of small business, which in turn create employment. Failure to extend TPS at this time would cut off remittances to hundreds of thousands of families who may be relying on these remittances for a substantial portion of their income. Because of the already high unemployment, individuals now relying on remittances will have difficulty replacing that lost income.