US to Send Migrants to Palau in Exchange for Increased Aid

The Pacific island nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the United States. In return, Palau will receive additional American aid. The deal was confirmed after a call between US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. on Tuesday. Both governments released statements announcing a new memorandum of understanding. Under the agreement, Palau will accept up to 75 "third-country nationals." This term refers to migrants who are not from Palau or the United States. They are people the US seeks to deport. This new pact comes months after Palau's lawmakers rejected a similar request from Washington. The earlier proposal was declined earlier this year. The details of the additional US aid to Palau were not immediately disclosed. The island nation is a close US ally in a strategically important region.