The United States has begun deporting migrants to Palau, a remote archipelago nation in the tropical Pacific, according to information the island country shared with AFP on Wednesday (1 July), The Hindu reported.
President Donald Trump has been driving efforts to remove asylum seekers and undocumented migrants from American soil, relocating them to countries including El Salvador and Uganda.
Palau, one of the world’s smallest nations by population, had agreed in December to take in as many as 75 deportees in return for $7.5 million.
President Surangel Whipps’ office confirmed that the first such individual had reached the country, made up of coral atolls and volcanic islands positioned roughly 800 km east of the Philippines.
“We welcomed our first individual at the airport in late May, brought him to his temporary residence and helped him connect his phone and settle in,” Whipps’ office told AFP.
Under the arrangement, deportees are expected to build new lives and secure employment in Palau despite lacking any prior ties to the country.
However, the first arrival left within two weeks of landing near Koror, the main settlement. “After about two weeks he decided not to remain,” the president’s office said, with details about his identity, deportation reasons, and subsequent whereabouts still unclear.
Whipps had earlier described the deal favourably, saying at a December signing event, “It’s about winning together… We help the United States, we help these nationals that need a place to go that’s safe,” and expressed hope they could “get jobs and be happy in Palau.”
The agreement mandates that deportees have no criminal record, while Palau retains veto power over acceptances.
Critics, however, argue the US is offloading migrants onto smaller nations. Senate leader Hokkons Baules said in February, “Palau’s sovereignty is disrespected at this time,” adding to ABC, “We feel they’re dumping their problems in Palau.”
A State Department spokesperson said the administration remained committed to curbing illegal immigration and strengthening border security.
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