Question Of Screening Of FAS Citizens Wishing To Enter The United States
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- Registered: Jul 16, 2002
- Last visit: Feb 01, 2013
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Posted: Aug 10, 2011 - 04:33 AM
Each week, the MI Journal seems to now run another update on current and critical issue that has arisen regarding implementing some type of screening for Marshall Islands (and FSM and perhaps Palau) citizens who seek to enter the US under Compact authorization.
With one exception, I believe the best screening method is the method selected by each nation, independent of others, including the US.
I also believe there is a rationale way for achieving this.
First, the US should recognize that the RMI cannot do anything until after the next election. No Marshallese candidate who hopes to be elected is going to come out in favor of implementing any screening. If other Freely Associated States (FAS) have an election this November, believe same holds true for them. Any legislation in the RMI to implement a screening process could not be undertaken until the 33rd session of the Nitijela, which should be initiated on / about 9 January 2012.
Second, I believe all should acknowledge that FAS citizens already living in the US cannot now be subjected to some type of after-the-fact screening. Those FAS citizens who enter the US prior to implementation of screening can be deported under current Compact provisions, if they are not self-supporting. No penalty should be ascribed to the FAS for a citizen who has already moved to the US.
Third, there has to be a recognized limit to the screening responsibility for the FAS. Thus, if an FAS citizen is in the United States for two years and suddenly shows up at a Homeless Shelter, after two years of either being self-supporting or being supported by family, this change of circumstance cannot be blamed on the FAS. Conversely, if someone admitted to the US two years prior suddenly is diagnosed with an active (infectious) case of Tuberculosis, then I believe the US could place the blame on the FAS, for failing to put in place any provision for screening for latent (or even active) TB prior to moving to the US. There have to be varying rules for varying conditions, but these variances must be minimized – keep it simple!
So, how can the US gain voluntary compliance by the FAS, through each FAS developing and initiating its own self-selected screening process? I believe this can readily be done by stating that, effective 1 April 2012, any FAS citizen in the US who seeks any public assistance of any type – financial aid, food aid, medical treatment (at public expense) etc. WITHIN 90 DAYS OF ARRIVAL IN THE US will be presumed to have moved to the US without adequate financial resources available to them and thus under provisions of the Compact will be immediately deported to their home (FAS) nation at THAT NATIONS expense. Thus, as example, if a Marshallese arrives in Hawaii on 3 April and within a couple of days is seeking assistance from a homeless shelter or hospital or other institution at taxpayer expense, then the US will presume the FAS (RMI in this case) did not make any attempt to ensure the individual would NOT become a “public ward†soon after arrival in the US. The US will then charge to the RMI all costs associated with housing and feeding and providing emergency medical treatment to that individual, through actual deportation (the cost of which the RMI will also pay for).
To fund these reimbursable charges, I propose the US hold 2.5% of each quarter’s Compact funds allocation (10.0% across the year) and at end of the fiscal year, deduct all costs associated with these deportations against these withheld funds. The balance would then be restored to the FAS. If after one year it is determined that 10% withholding was not enough, then double the amount held the next year, and so on, till adequate funds are available to cover the costs at the end of each year.
The only exception would be for any FAS citizen who develops an active case of TB while in the US, for a two year period after entry. In these cases, the FAS citizen will be quarantined, given essential medical treatment, and deported to the FAS concerned via an air ambulance, as recommended by the US Center for Disease Control. Again, as above, all costs associated with this quarantine, treatment, and deportation will be billed to the FAS concerned.
I believe the FAS, if told this policy as described will take effect on 1 April 2012, will independently determine and implement screening processes that are sensitive to that nation’s culture and political climate. This is much preferable to the US specifying a “one size fits all†screening process, which is the inevitable outcome if the US enters into “negotiation†to resolve the issue.
If the US States concerned (Hawaii, Arkansas, etc ) fail to identify to US authorities those FAS citizens who seek assistance, so can be determined if have arrived in US during past 90 days, then – simply stated – the State concerned will get no financial relief and the FAS will not pay any costs because none will be billed.
And what if the Republic Of The Marshall Islands (or other FAS) does not implement any screening process prior to 1 April? Then, the costs as described will be charged to the FAS concerned. In this case, the FAS is defacto stating it does not have the political will or public support to implement a screening process and is willing to pay all resulting costs. AGAIN, THIS IS PREFERABLE TO THE US FORCING A SOLUTION ON THE FAS.
Up front I said there should be one exception. I feel stupid saying this but events in the RMI have demonstrated this is necessary. The US should demand that each FAS guarantee that anyone it is allowing to move to the US is not under felony indictment. The US already screens out all convicted felons but it appears the RMI has decided a clever way around this is to let those indicted with a felony move to the US prior to a trial and then drop all charges because the accused is no longer in the RMI. This practice is outrageous and the US should implement strong sanctions on the RMI if there is a recurrence.
edited by: pettittm, datetimebrief
“I hope the signing of the LUA (Land Use Agreement) allows the Government of the Marshall Islands more time to focus on the biggest issues it faces – how to raise the level of education and health of the Marshallese people and how to create an economy that will be stable after direct US funding ends in 2023.”
US Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Martha Campbell, as quoted by MI Journal, 13 May 2011, pg 4
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- Registered: Sep 07, 2002
- Last visit: Feb 14, 2013
- Posts: 144
Posted: Aug 10, 2011 - 06:04 AM
Pettittm if this were the case he/she would be considered inadmissible into the United States and should never be allowed to enter. Customs in Hawaii if they are doing their jobs right should not allow that person to enter into the US based on the pending charge and or conviction.
This was the case for an RMI citizen who was contracted to work at a hotel in Louisiana, he was stopped in Hawaii paroled into the US pending an investigation based on a conviction he had in Majuro several years back (I believe burglary and rape). It was later determined by Immigration the subject had no legal right to enter the US , he was swiftly taken into custody and sent back to RMI not allowed to enter the US indefinitely.
My understanding is that everyone contracted to work at these hotels in the US was supposed to go to the courthouse and get their background cleared prior to boarding a plane to the US. It is obvious as you stated and my example above this is not strictly enforced.
If the RMI government is doing this it is against US law and action should be taken, it is as if the RMI is getting rid of their criminals by allowing them to illegally enter the United States and take no action against it. I will forward this erroneous act by the RMI government to the appropriate individuals for investigation.
Makes you wonder why the US wants stricter admission policies on persons from FSM, RMI, etc. If it's not passport fraud it another form of deception by the RMI government. -
- Registered: Jul 16, 2002
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Posted: Aug 10, 2011 - 06:51 AM
My comment based on article in 29 July MI Journal, which advised that several individuals, who in 2010 were part of a theft ring charged with stealing $79,900, had left the RMI. In July 2011, per Journal, charges against several individuals were dropped because (to quote) "defendants were no longer in the RMI." Article does not state they now live in the US but in my opinion, that is the likely place they moved to.
“I hope the signing of the LUA (Land Use Agreement) allows the Government of the Marshall Islands more time to focus on the biggest issues it faces – how to raise the level of education and health of the Marshallese people and how to create an economy that will be stable after direct US funding ends in 2023.”
US Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Martha Campbell, as quoted by MI Journal, 13 May 2011, pg 4
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- Registered: May 26, 2011
- Last visit: May 27, 2012
- Posts: 13
Posted: Aug 10, 2011 - 12:05 PM
If I had the opportunity as a RMI Government Leader, I would agree with Senator Inouye that while screening of FAS Entry to the US is a "must" it would be logical to include the pending CCP in the US Congress as part of this Compact review. After all, Senator Inouye is a champion and friend of the RMI and RMI Issues. Is he NOT? -
- Registered: May 14, 2003
- Last visit: May 09, 2012
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Posted: Aug 10, 2011 - 12:48 PM
notice the former foregin minister responding. I guess he did not read what he signed for 50,000 people of RMI. another blunder for UPD.
"Sometimes you just can't argue with stupid!!!"
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- Registered: May 26, 2011
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Posted: Aug 10, 2011 - 12:48 PM
Check this out: Ref Micsem....
by Kevin Kerrigan Friday, 05 August 2011
Hawaii Senator Daniel Akaka has introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate that would restore certain public benefits to citizens of the Freely Associated States (FAS) who reside in the United States.
The "Medicaid Restoration for Citizens of Freely Associated States Act" was introduced Tuesday in Washington D.C.
It would re-establish Medicaid eligibility for citizens of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) nations living in the United States, including Guam.
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) has introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives, cosponsored by Representatives Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii), Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa), and Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam).
In announcing the legislation, Senator Akaka is quoted on his website as saying that "It is time for the federal government to take up some of the financial responsibility that until now has been carried by the State of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa by restoring public benefits to FAS citizens."
Fellow Hawiian Senator Daniel Inouye, and New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman are cosponsors of the bill. -
- Registered: Apr 07, 2011
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Posted: Aug 10, 2011 - 10:57 PM
An experimental, hypersonic aircraft that could fly from Sydney to London in 49 minutes is ready to blast off on a test flight this later week from California.
The arrowhead-shaped plane could reach a blistering speed of almost 21000 km/hr while withstanding temperatures of almost 2000 degrees, hotter than the melting point of steel.
American media reports the aircraft dubbed Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 will be launched into the Earth's atmosphere aboard an eight-story Minotaur IV rocket, made by Orbital Sciences Corp.
After the launch, the Falcon will dislodge from the rocket, speed back towards earth, level out and glide above the Pacific at 20 times the speed of sound.
IT IS THEN EXPECTED TO LAND and SINK near KWAJALEIN ATOLL, about 6400 kilometres from Vandenberg, about 30 minutes after the launch.
The Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2. Photo: DARPA
At its top speed it could travel the 17,000 kilometres between London and Sydney in about 49 minutes.
Funded by US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, the Falcon is an reportedly an experiment to test a new technology that would provide the Pentagon a vehicle capable of delivering a “prompt global strike†anywhere in the world in less than an hour.
It will be the second flight of the Falcon. The first flight, which took place in April last year, ended prematurely after only nine minutes.
In June, the US Air Force had to prematurely end a test flight of its experimental X-51 WaveRider plane when a lapse in airflow to the jet engine caused a shutdown.
Is Marshall Islands becoming a dumpisite for every experimental Tests of an aircrafts or of every research?
only you can tell: https://login.yahoo.com/config/mail?&.src=ym&.intl=au -
- Registered: Dec 10, 2008
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Posted: Aug 11, 2011 - 12:04 PM
The receding of the water in the Jordan River has slowly come back up yet again to cause an uncontrolled flooding, imagine that if you will. -
- Registered: Jul 16, 2002
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Posted: Dec 06, 2011 - 02:18 AM
In his statement on behalf of the Government of the RMI, dated 14 October 2011, issued in response to recent GAO report, “Compacts Of Free Association – Improvements Needed To Assess And Addres Growing Migration, RMI Ambassador to the US Charles Paul states in part,
That was written on 14 October. Has the first step in setting up the promised special task force – the naming of the members – been accomplished yet or is this still pending?
And why just “certain highly communicable diseases†– why not “all highly communicable diseases?â€
Since diabetes and many other serious health problems in the RMI are not highly communicable (or just “communicableâ€), I guess the RMI Government sees no problem with the continuing unrestricted migration to the U.S. by any and all Marshallese with these non-communicable serious health conditions.
Of note, the GAO did not make this distinction. To quote the GAO Report:
To be fair, the response of the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia did not offer any positive action in response to the stated problems, so give the credit to the RMI for putting forth a pro-active response.
That said, I doubt the response offered will satisfy the U.S. concerns.
“I hope the signing of the LUA (Land Use Agreement) allows the Government of the Marshall Islands more time to focus on the biggest issues it faces – how to raise the level of education and health of the Marshallese people and how to create an economy that will be stable after direct US funding ends in 2023.”
US Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Martha Campbell, as quoted by MI Journal, 13 May 2011, pg 4
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