President Donald Trump’s accelerated deportation program may serve as an economic boon for one South Pacific island.
The island nation of Palau, home to a population of nearly 18,000, has agreed to accept 75 deportees from the United States in exchange for $7.5 million in foreign aid. However, there are some conditions that these “third-party nationals” need to meet in order to be accepted into the country as part of the agreement, including having never been charged with a crime, according to the U.S. Embassy in Koror and President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s office.
“The United States deeply appreciates Palau’s cooperation in enforcing U.S. immigration laws, which remains a top priority for the Trump administration,” reads a statement from the embassy. “In this regard, the United States granted $7.5 million to address the needs of relevant Palau public services.”
An additional $6 million will be awarded to the country’s civil service pension program, and another $2 million will be invested for law enforcement initiatives.
The key motivator behind the decision was reportedly a labor shortage on the island.
Other countries around the world have agreed to cooperate Trump’s deportation efforts by accepting illegal immigrants, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Eswatini, Panama, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda.
X users weighed in on the decision:
ABSURD. The Trump admin will pay the tiny Pacific island nation of Palau $100,000 per person to take 75 people it wants to deport from the United States who can’t be deported to their home countries.https://t.co/qKxFFh0MYq pic.twitter.com/M6XZw832wa
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) December 25, 2025
Didn’t Palau take in some Guantanamo inmates?
Of course, the other precedent is the gulags Australia has set up in Oceania (Manus, Nauru).
— Ben Margulies (@chequeredfuture) December 25, 2025
COOL!! Palau’s people won’t stand for those illegals doing any crimes, Their system of justice is swift and final. LOVE IT.
— MICHAEL Murdock 🇺🇸🇮🇹 (@docmurdock) December 25, 2025
Tiny Pacific nation to take up to 75 deportees as Trump administration accelerates mass removals
I was stationed in Guam in the Navy, Palau is looking to get a few bucks. Good for them! Send them spanish though, they need labor, not somali slackershttps://t.co/AIM186tgcE…
— Will O’Halloran (@JAFOinDC) December 27, 2025
Why not? I’m ok with this. Can’t wait to see how the Democrats will find this illegal or unconstitutional. https://t.co/S25tezgWkb
— Lady Tigress (@LadyConstance8) December 27, 2025
Holy crap as a Canadian maybe I should run across the border and then give myself up and refuse to go back to Canada and let’s see. Maybe ask if I can go to Pualu! What a sweet gig https://t.co/SkhXLqL12H
— Can you feel the shift? (@Canuck4466) December 27, 2025
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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