The deal, which allows up to 75 third-country migrants facing removal from the US to live and work in Palau, was signed by president Surangel Whipps Jr in December. Palau’s lower house now has to consider the deal, and the final decision rests with Whipps Jr. But in January, Palau’s senate voted to block the resettlement deal and propose a public referendum on the issue. Still, the deal to resettle US deportees to Palau has drawn sharp opposition from the country’s traditional leaders and lawmakers since the Trump administration approached Palau in July 2025. Whipps Jr said Palau will “review each individual on a case‑by‑case basis and will decide who may come here”.