Dear Editor,
When President Whipps announced the creation of a Refugee Working Group, many Palauans paused in confusion. The United States proposal, as it turns out, does not speak of refugees—it speaks of deportees. That single word changes everything. Refugees flee war and persecution; deportees are people ordered to leave another country because they violated its laws. Why, then, should Palau—already struggling with its own social and economic challenges—become the dumping ground for another nation’s unwanted responsibility? This is not compassion. It is a COMPROMISE.
At a time when Palau is burdened by the weight of its own crises, this proposal feels disconnected from reality. We face a worsening drug epidemic, a lack of prison capacity, and rising social discontent. Prices continue to climb while wages remain painfully low. The PGST—what many now call the “Palau Government Stress Tax”—has driven up costs on everything from food to power. Gasoline hovers near six dollars a gallon. Rent is up, the price of water is up, and electricity is more expensive than ever. Yes, the government has approved pay raises for public employees—but what of the private sector, where other Palauans work? A pay raise means little when inflation eats it up before it reaches the pocket. How can we claim to build a Palau for all when only a few can afford to live comfortably?
Meanwhile, our youth continue to migrate to Guam, Saipan, and the United States. Families are split, and our birth rate declines each year. We speak of “A Kot er a Chad Belau”—Palauan first—but in practice, the priorities of this administration seem to place business and money above people. The creation of a Refugee Working Group, at this time, is not leadership—it is a distraction.
Before we open our doors to DEPORTEES, we should first look within our own homes. Where are the housing projects for returning students and workers? Where are the reforms to make our communities safer and our future more hopeful? Our prison system is already overcrowded and under-resourced. Even now, our law enforcement struggles to respond to the growing threat of drugs and organized crime. Are we truly prepared to take in deportees from another country—individuals the U.S. government itself does not want?
Let’s also be honest: these are not ordinary migrants. They are deportees for a reason. The U.S. may present this as partnership, but history has taught us that small nations like ours must always read between the lines. We must ask: Who truly benefits? Palau’s peace is fragile. Our people have long prided themselves on hospitality, but hospitality without boundaries becomes exploitation. Sovereignty means having the courage to say no when our stability and safety are at risk. The President’s duty is first to the Palauan people—to ensure that our nation remains secure, our families fed, and our children hopeful.
This is not about fear. It is about wisdom. We can be friends with the United States and still protect our own interests. We can uphold Christian compassion without surrendering common sense. As a people, we must learn to discern between generosity and gullibility.
Let us not sell our peace for promises of money or aid. Let us instead invest in our own—those struggling to pay rent, feed their families, or keep their lights on. Let us fix what is broken here before taking on the burdens of others.
Palau is small, but our hearts are large. Still, even a large heart must know its limits. Before we accept deportees, let us strengthen our homes, restore our dignity, and reaffirm that Palauans come first.
May the Almighty protect this island, and may wisdom guide our leaders to remember that sovereignty is not for sale—it is a sacred trust.
Your Humble Servant
Al Kahalic