The small island nation, about 800 kilometers east of the Philippines, has signed an agreement with the United States to accept about 75 undocumented migrants. For this, the United States will pay 7.5 million dollars, about 75 million kronor, which will go towards improving the island's infrastructure and healthcare, among other things.
The migrants have not been charged with any crimes in the United States and are expected to fill Palau's labor needs. But the island nation, which has about 20,000 residents spread across hundreds of islands, reserves the right to approve any migrant who arrives.
One of President Donald Trump's most prominent campaign promises during last year's election campaign was to carry out mass deportations of migrants residing in the United States illegally.
Since then, the United States has signed agreements with a number of countries to accept deported migrants, including Kosovo, Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda and conflict-torn South Sudan. Many people have also been sent to countries in Central America.
