Pacific Island Strikes Lucrative Deal to House Deportees

"The discussion included several new initiatives that help both our nations move forward, the statement said. Palau welcomed U.S. commitments that deepen a long standing partnership and deliver concrete benefits for Palauan people in health care, security, pensions, disaster resilience, and labor. Together, Palau and the United States also reaffirmed a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific that protects both nations' prosperity and security."

"This statement affirms that 75 third country nationals, who have never been charged with a crime can live and work in Palau, which has an estimated population of 17,700, to help address local labor shortages. A $7.5 million grant from the U.S. in exchange will allow Palau to meet related public service and infrastructure needs, while both countries continue close cooperation on immigration and security matters."

"Palau has been independent since 1994 but maintains close links with the U.S. through the Compacts of Free Association, which grants Palau U.S. funding and allows Palau citizens to live, work, and join the U.S. military in exchange for U.S. defense rights and access in the Pacific. The island nation's new role in accepting third country nationals comes amid a large push by the Trump administration to crack down on illegal immigration and increase deportation numbers."

Palau agreed to a $7.5 million arrangement with the United States to accept up to 75 third-country nationals who have never been charged with a crime. The newcomers can live and work in Palau, a nation of about 17,700 people, to help address local labor shortages. The grant will fund public services and infrastructure needs and support health care, security, pensions, disaster resilience, and labor initiatives. The agreement follows close ties under the Compacts of Free Association and was formalized after a call between Palau's president and the U.S. deputy secretary of state. The move aligns with broader U.S. deportation efforts.

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