Federal official appeals to Palau to accept US deportees

 By Mar-Vic Cagurangan

Christopher Landau, the U.S. deputy secretary of state, appealed to the people of Palau to accept Washington’s proposal to resettle U.S. deportees in the Pacific island nation, reassuring them that those bound for transfer have no criminal record other than immigration breach.

“Our administration would greatly appreciate Palau's help on this issue,” Landau said in a video message addressing the people of Palau amid a growing opposition to the proposal.

“Because we always want to recognize and respect Palau's sovereignty, we also commit to never send a single person to Palau without Palau's approval,” Landau said.

The U.S. is seeking to relocate up to 75 deportees to Palau, offering $7.5 million to defray the resettlement costs, plus law enforcement assistance to address the country’s drug smuggling challenges.

Landau said Palau “would retain full veto power” even after accepting the U.S. proposal, giving the island government the ability to vet each proposed draft.

“We're asking for Palau's help in accepting the transfer only of individuals without any criminal backgrounds, people who've never been arrested or charged in the U.S. for any non-immigration crime,” he said.

Despite President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s pitch to endorse the U.S. proposal, Palau’s Congress and the Council Chiefs have repeatedly turned it down, noting the vagueness of the plan.

Public sentiment is not on its side either. Palauan citizens have raised concerns about accommodating unwanted aliens from the U.S., saying the nation has problems of its own.

Landau noted that Palau and the U.S. are “true partners” under the Compact of Free Association, which he said mutually benefits both nations.

“The U.S. helps Palau where we can, and Palau helps the U.S. where it can. One area where we've recently asked for Palau's help is immigration,” he said.

“Like Palau, we're a nation of laws, including laws providing for legal immigration. Far too many people, however, have entered the United States illegally,” he added.

In Palau, Whipps tried to convince lawmakers and traditional chiefs that U.S. deportees could help fill the country’s labor gaps.

Landau said the U.S. government typically sends illegal aliens back to their home countries.

“Sometimes, however, that's not possible. In those special cases, we look to our international partners for help,” he said.

“Our administration would greatly appreciate Palau's help on this issue, even with respect to a very small number of people,” Landau added.

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