Migration Among the Freely Associated States in Micronesia: Trends, Drivers, and Implications

According to their Compact of Free Association agreements with the United States, citizens of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and Marshall Islands are allowed to enter the United States and live, study, and work there as if they were Americans. Despite the impediments and threats of living abroad, many Micronesians have emigrated. This chapter analyses economic, educational, healthcare, and other migration drivers that push many citizens of the “freely associated states”, including the youth, out of their home countries to pursue better income and life opportunities. The chapter describes Micronesians’ life in the United States, often characterized by poverty, discrimination, and lack of assistance from the host country. We also discuss the measures that the three freely associated states could take to mitigate the outflow of their citizens.