Palau, the Pacific island nation that agreed to that first U.S. In return for the financial largesse, Palau will resettle as many as 75 of the migrants. Earlier this week, Palau’s president, Surangel Whipps, shocked the world by announcing a radical about-face on the tiny Pacific nation’s immigration policy. Despite pressure from Washington, up until earlier this year Palau had rejected offers to accept asylum seekers from other countries.
Under the new agreement, Palau will receive $2 million from the US to provide advisers aimed at enhancing security issues within the nation. It is expected to help ensure $6 million in key reforms to Palau’s civil service pension plan. The agreement draws sharp attention to Palau’s compact of free association with the US. This deal provides much needed economic support for Palau and gives America military access to Palau’s territory.
In addition, while Palau does accept migrants, it is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. This complicates its international obligations for protecting asylum seekers internationally. Currently, the biggest third country the US is sending hundreds of migrants to is Palau. These places frequently have no links to the migrants, inviting scathing rebuke from human rights activists. Coloring all this is the Trump administration’s overall approach to immigration, which has raised alarms across the board. Its practice of suspending the deportation of migrants to third countries experiences due process and human rights violations.
During the negotiations leading up to the agreement, American Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau even personally contacted President Whipps. At this summit, they discussed resettling third-country nationals to Palau. Palau’s president’s office has said that permitting these people to settle in the country would help address domestic labor shortages. Most importantly, they called attention to the critical need for workforce relief in foundational occupations.
“Allowing up to 75 third country nationals, who have never been charged with a crime, to live and work in Palau, helping address local labor shortages in needed occupations,” – Office of Palau’s president.
The US government emphasized its commitment to assisting Palau, stating, “In this regard, the United States granted $7.5 million to address the needs of relevant Palau public services.” This financial support will help strengthen public services while both countries adjust to this new deal.
For context, Palau’s population is all of 17,000. Even in this small cohort, the decision to accept migrants is a big deal for the Caribbean island nation. Conversations around migration and asylum are taking place around the world right now. Palau’s agreement with the U.S. serves as a strong reminder to both international relations and domestic immigration policy trends.