Bill on FAS draws protest from Palau • Speaker Anastacio says countrymen should not be punished for US failure to pay impact cost

A top Palau official has reiterated opposition against a pending legislation that will put in place a government monitoring system for Freely Associated States citizens residing in the Northern Marianas.

House Speaker Ignacio Anastacio said both CNMI and Guam should address the issue on the costs of hosting their nationals to the federal government, adding Palau expects to get involved when the Compact is renegotiated later this year.

“It’s unfortunate,” he told reporters, referring to the proposed measure under way in the CNMI Legislature seeking restriction on the migration of FAS citizens into the island.

“The FAS Compact envisions free migration on our citizens to U.S. so as long as CNMI and Guam are part of the U.S., I don’t think we violate any treaty,” added Anastacio, who was on Saipan to attend the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union meeting.

Forged in 1986, the landmark agreement has allowed citizens from Palau, the Marshalls and the Federated States of Micronesia to enter freely into any U.S. soil with financial aid from federal authorities.

The accord, due to expire in two years, has come under close scrutiny from wealthier Pacific islands like Guam, Hawaii and the NMI which have provided free education, housing and medical benefits to FAS residents in the past decade in the absence of Washington’s assistance.

While Palau’s agreement will expire a few years later, Anastacio said his government would send an observer when renegotiations begin later this year between Washington, Marshalls and FSM.

He maintained, however, that FAS citizens should not be punished for the failure of the federal government to help U.S. insular areas cope with the burden of hosting these people.

“I appreciate and understand the problems encountered by Guam and the CNMI with respect to our citizens migrating into their island,” the Palau Speaker explained, “but we should join them in addressing the issue with the federal government, support efforts of CNMI and Guam governments in as far as getting reimbursements on the Compact Impact.”

Although Commonwealth leaders have denounced Washington for not meeting its Compact obligations, the bill offered by Rep. Melvin Faisao is the first step taken by the government to deal with mounting problems associated with the uncontrolled FAS migration.

Introduced last year, the measure is awaiting committee report before it gets to the floor of the House of Representatives for voting.

Several government agencies have overwhelmingly backed the move by the Legislature, noting that a big portion of its services have been directed toward FAS nationals who, although nonimmigrants, are also qualified to receive benefits granted only to indigenous people and U.S. citizens on the island.

But governments from neighboring islands have opposed the measure, calling it a discriminatory policy against their citizens.

The Commonwealth government has no exact figures on their population here, but estimates have ranged between 4,000 to 7,000. A preliminary study commissioned by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has disclosed that it spends at least $12 million each year to host FAS citizens.

Under the proposed law, the island government will screen these people to determine their eligibility under a list of requirements, including criminal records and health standards.

It will also restrict free entry to FAS citizens who are not full-time students, lawful dependents of a gainfully employed relative or active members of the U.S. Armed Forces.