KOROR, Palau — The United States has deported 156 Palauan’s citizens since 2003 after they were convicted of crimes in the U.S., according to records from Palau’s Ministry of State.
The data shows that 2011 and 2013 saw the highest number of deportations, with 14 individuals sent back each year. No Palauan’s were deported in 2006 or 2007. Seven (7) were deported to Palau last year.
The Ministry of State did not disclose the specific crimes for which each deportee was convicted, citing confidentiality. However, under the Palau Sex Offender Registry Act, information on convicted sex offenders must be made public. Island Times is seeking additional details from the Office of the Attorney General, which is legally mandated to release such information.
Earlier this month, reports circulated on social media regarding the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to deport non-U.S. citizens with criminal records. The posts claimed that eight (8) Palauan’s nationals were among those slated for deportation.
A recent case reported by FOX 26 Houston in December 2024 highlighted the arrest of Palauan national Shakespear Ngirmekur in Humble, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained him for multiple criminal convictions, including a sex offense against a minor, and intended to deport him to Palau.
Deportees who have completed their sentences for other crimes in the U.S. are not required to register or report to law enforcement in Palau. Under Palauan law, those convicted of sexual criminal offenses in the U.S. or other countries must register with the Bureau of Public Safety and comply with legal conditions.