The United States has begun deporting migrants to the tiny Pacific nation of Palau, with the first deportee arriving in late May but leaving after just two weeks, according to the office of Palau President Surangel Whipps.
First deportee arrives and departs
Palau agreed in December to accept up to 75 deportees in exchange for $7.5 million from the United States. The first individual, whose identity and reasons for deportation remain unknown, was welcomed at the airport near Koror and provided temporary housing. However, after about two weeks, the person decided not to remain and left, the president's office confirmed.
Deal details and conditions
The resettlement deal requires that all deportees have a clean criminal record, and Palau retains full veto rights over who it accepts. The $7.5 million payment is designated for public service and infrastructure needs. President Whipps has described the arrangement as a win-win, stating, "We help the United States, we help these nationals that need a place to go that’s safe. And hopefully they can get jobs and be happy in Palau."
Criticism and legal challenges
Critics have accused the United States of using Palau as a dumping ground. Palau's senate leader Hokkons Baules said in February, "Palau’s sovereignty is disrespected at this time. We feel they’re dumping their problems in Palau." Lawmakers lost a last-ditch legal challenge to stop the policy earlier this year.
Background on Palau
Palau, with a population of about 20,000 spread across hundreds of volcanic isles and coral atolls, is one of the smallest countries in the world. It is a close US ally in the Pacific, one of the few nations to recognize Taiwan over China. Under a Compact of Free Association, Palau grants the US military access to its territory in return for hundreds of millions of dollars in budgetary support and defense responsibility.
US stance
A US State Department spokesman reaffirmed the Trump administration's commitment to ending illegal immigration and bolstering border security, but declined to comment on private diplomatic communications regarding the Palau deal.
