PALAU will decide by referendum whether to allow deportees from the United States to settle in the tiny North Pacific state.
The Senate blocked a deal agreed between President Surangel Whipps and his US counterpart Donald Trump to resettle 75 deportees in exchange for medical and infrastructure support.
The issue will now proceed to a national referendum.
Supporters said the legislation changes were necessary to prevent the deal from taking effect without adequate legal and humanitarian protections in place.
Radio New Zealand reports that the Palau National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau) sat for three days to pass a bill to introduce sweeping amendments to the country’s immigration laws.
The amendments prohibit the entry, residence, employment, or long-term stay of individuals removed by foreign governments. It also prevents humanitarian resettlement, refugee protection, or relocation based on an inability to return to another country.
Sources: Radio New Zealand International and Island Times