A plan to resettle third-country nationals from the US to the Pacific nation faces an uncertain future amid unease over the deal
A controversial Trump administration deal to relocate deportees from the US to the small Pacific nation of Palau faces an uncertain future, after the senate voted to block the deal as concern about the agreement grows.
The deal, which allows up to 75 third-country migrants facing removal from the US to live and work in Palau, was signed by president Surangel Whipps Jr in December. Palau’s lower house now has to consider the deal, and the final decision rests with Whipps Jr.
The arrangement is part of a broader assistance package to Palau, including $2m for security initiatives and $7.5m tied to the resettlement of the third-country nationals.
But in January, Palau’s senate voted to block the resettlement deal and propose a public referendum on the issue. Palauans would be asked whether their country should accept non-Palauan individuals who have been removed from the US.
