Crossing Frontiers

Corruption, violence and poverty are the obvious elements driving waves of mass migration from Central America. But a systematic lack of investment in infrastructure that would benefit impoverished citizens is among the most serious reasons why so many are forced to leave.

Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are among the nations that spend next to nothing on basic social programs such as healthcare, water and housing, which actual encourages their poorest citizens to leave in search of a better life. This corrupt cycle in turn infuses these countries with money from abroad, as the people who were forced to leave send home cash to the people left behind.

Reporting for the Daily Times, these images depict the people who are trying to build new lives in new lands.