Marshallese Gathering

Under the new presidency, there has been an increase in the amount of deportations throughout the United States; this has also affected the community of the Marshallese people. The Trump administration signed an executive order called “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” that has been targeting authorized immigrants. This executive order also targets Marshallese residents because of a legal status called “Compact of Free Association" (or COFA). COFA is a agreement between three specific nations in the pacific island; The Republic of the Marshall Island, The Federated States of Micronesia. And the Republic of Palau, and with the United States that was formed in the mid-1980s. The agreement being that the United States will place strategic military bases in the Pacific, while the Pacific Islanders under the bill get to live and work in the United States without a Visa. However, one can see this as a one way agreement because Ice agents do a sweep of people they can get an islander with all of the correct paperwork and will still be forced to be in detainment for "about 46 days" according to the Global Statistics. Also how they are not considered US citizen so they do not have the same protection as a citizen would even though they come over and work and try to provide a better life. With a new aggression with policy and cooperation with the local police in Springdale, Arkansas, the community leaders shared a message to the citizens of their community that now have a higher chance of deportation, with the statement, “People are afraid to answer their doors. Families are being separated overnight, and children are left without parents.” With each day that passes, deportation can cause a serious problem for the people in the area. Another spokesperson from the community Anjanette Anjel, Interim Consul General said "Many Marshallese in the Ozarks and all across the United States are deeply concerned about the federal immigrant deportation mandate," Marshallese community reacts after Washington County passes SCAAP. On the website Marshallese Deportations Intensify in Arkansas Under Trump Policies quote a kid with saying “My dad was taken away, and now my mom has to work two jobs. I miss him every day.” And with it being common that families may not get information on their significant other because of “outdated locator info.…” they can go be gone for days.