Palau Rejects US Proposal to Accept Third Country Refugees

Palau's national congress has rejected a US proposal to accept asylum seekers from third countries, citing practical issues and concerns over the introduction of refugees. The Pacific island nation, with a population of 17,000, has a compact of free association with the US, providing economic assistance in return for US military access. Palau is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention. The US has offered financial assistance for Palau to consider refugees as "safe third countries."

Palau's national congress has firmly rejected a U.S. proposal to accept asylum seekers from third countries, citing practical issues and concerns over the introduction of refugees. The small Pacific island nation, with a population of 17,000, has a compact of free association with the U.S., which provides economic assistance in exchange for U.S. military access [1].

The U.S. had proposed that Palau temporarily host individuals seeking asylum in the U.S. but whose claims were deemed inadmissible or abandoned. The proposal was presented to Palauan leadership on July 18, 2025, during a meeting with President Surangel Whipps Jr. and U.S. Ambassador Joel Ehrendreich [2].

However, the proposal met swift opposition from both the National Congress and the Council of Chiefs. On July 19, 2025, leaders of both houses of the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) sent a joint letter to President Whipps advising him not to proceed. The letter stated that while Palau is a strong U.S. ally, "we cannot afford to overpromise or commit to something we cannot fulfill" [2].

The Council of Chiefs echoed the congressional stance, emphasizing the weight of such a decision on a small island nation. They noted that any agreement would require approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress and that Palau lacks a legal framework to accommodate asylum seekers or refugees [2].

The U.S. Ambassador to Palau, Joel Ehrendreich, told Palauan leaders that individuals likely to be sent to Palau would be those whose claims have been deemed inadmissible or abandoned in the U.S. He emphasized that the proposed agreement does not obligate Palau to accept any individuals at this stage [2].

Palau is not a signatory to the 1951 U.N. Refugee Convention, which further complicates any attempt to take on such a role. The U.S. has offered financial assistance for Palau to consider refugees as "safe third countries," but this proposal has been rejected due to the practical issues it would raise in Palau's society [1].

Given the strong and immediate opposition from both the legislature and the Council of Chiefs, the likelihood of the U.S. proposal advancing appears slim. The proposal is effectively "dead on arrival," according to one lawmaker [2].

References:
[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L4N3TP0A8:0-palau-lawmakers-reject-us-request-to-accept-third-country-refugees/
[2] https://pina.com.fj/2025/07/28/palau-leaders-reject-u-s-proposal-to-host-asylum-seekers/