The National Tongan American Society (NTAS) in Utah is proactively offering legal assistance to community members facing potential actions from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Executive Director O. Fahina Tavake-Pasi emphasised the organisation’s readiness to support those
confronted by immigration authorities.
“We have sent warnings out to our community,” Tavake-Pasi told ABC News. “We have an attorney, so he’s been sharing things with our community as to what they can do and what they cannot do… like if [ICE] come to the door, you don’t have to open the door, you don’t have to answer any questions.”
She added, “We’ve provided some of this information to our community so that if these ICE people show up, they know what their rights are.”
The NTAS’s initiative comes amid broader concerns within Pacific Islander communities in the US regarding immigration policies. An executive order by President Trump aiming to end birthright citizenship has heightened anxieties, though its implementation has been stalled by a federal judge. If enacted, this order would affect US-born children of migrants.
Deportations have significant repercussions for Pacific nations. Between 2004 and 2020, at least 3,500 Pacific nationals were deported from Australia, New Zealand, and the US, according to the Lowy Institute.
Many deportees struggle with reintegration, facing stigma and limited family support, which can lead to challenges such as involvement in criminal activities.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka recently expressed concerns in Washington about the safety risks these deportations pose to small island states. In discussions with US officials, he highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to ensure that individuals involved in serious crimes do not pose threats upon their return.
The NTAS continues to advocate for the rights and well-being of Tongan Americans, providing resources and support to navigate the complexities of US immigration policies.
