Agreement to Accept up to 75 Immigrants
in Exchange for $7.5 Million and Additional Aid
The small island nation of Palau in the South Pacific has decided to accept the Trump administration's request to take in immigrants expelled by the United States.
According to the New York Times (NYT) on December 25 (local time), the previous day the Office of the President of Palau announced in a statement that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Trump administration regarding the acceptance of immigrants. Under this agreement, Palau will accept up to 75 third-country nationals who have applied for asylum in the United States but cannot be repatriated to their home countries. In return, Palau is set to receive 7.5 million dollars (approximately 10.8 billion won) and additional aid.
Palau is a small island nation in the South Pacific with a population of only about 18,000. It consists of around 350 small volcanic and coral islands located about 300 kilometers east of the Philippines. After World War II, the country was under U.S. trusteeship until it gained independence in 1994, and it has long been one of America's closest Pacific allies. Since gaining independence, Palau has maintained close ties with the United States through the Compact of Free Association (COFA), which grants the U.S. military access.
The Trump administration, which has intensified its crackdown on illegal immigrants, has sent deported immigrants to Central and South American countries such as Panama and Guatemala, and has also approached countries in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe to accept them. In July, Palau was asked by the United States to accept third-country nationals who were applying for asylum, and initially expressed reluctance. The Council of Chiefs of Palau and others opposed accepting immigrants, citing the lack of a refugee policy or resettlement system, but some analysts noted that as a small nation dependent on U.S. support, it would not be easy for Palau to refuse.
The Office of the President of Palau, led by Surangel Whipps Jr., stated that Palau will be able to decide who to accept and will continue discussions with its citizens throughout the process.
The office also argued that allowing people with no criminal charges to live and work in Palau would help address the country's labor shortage. Since taking office in 2021, President Whipps has cooperated in expanding U.S. military influence in Palau, with the construction of a long-range radar base being a notable example. The presidential office emphasized that in addition to the 7.5 million dollars in aid, the United States has also agreed to provide further support for the construction of a new national hospital, strengthening disaster response capabilities, and preventing the collapse of the civil servant pension system.
According to the NYT, public opinion in Palau is divided. Some welcome the continued cooperation with the United States and the potential strengthening of the pension system, while others express concern about the influx of foreigners.
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