IMPACT OF THE COMPACTS OF FREE ASSOCIATION ON GUAM

The Compacts of Free Association are joint congressional-executive agreements between the US and the FSM, the RMI and the Republic of Palau. These agreements establish, in part, that citizens of these areas may enter, engage in occupation, and establish residence as nonimmigrants (a status that typically signifies nonpermanent visitors such as tourists or students) in the United States and their territories and possessions.
Three Pacific island nations – FSM, Palau, Marshall Islands have entered into compacts with the United States. Compact goals included achieving self government, promoting economic advancement, and securing security and defense rights.

Under the compacts, the US has a responsibility for the defense of the FAS, and the compacts provide the US with exclusive military use rights in these countries. In addition, under the compacts, the US provides economic assistance and access to certain federal services and programs. Basically, the US funds the FSM, RMI and Palau for a range of development programs, immigration privileges, US transportation of mail, and other benefits. In exchange, each Pacific nation guarantees the US exclusive use of its land for military purposes.

The compacts provide for citizens of these freely associated states (FAS) to enter and reside indefinitely in the U.S. Under the compacts of free association, citizens of the FAS are exempt from meeting the visa and labor certification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The migration provisions of the compacts allow compact migrants to enter the US (including all US states, territories, and possessions) and to lawfully work and establish residence indefinitely.

According to the FY 2017 Compact Impact Report, the Government of Guam expended $147 million in FY 2017 for providing educational and social services to migrants from the Freely Associated States to Guam under the provisions of the Compacts. Education accounted for the largest share of reported expenses at $73 million in 2017 with the Guam Department of Education expending a total of $66.5 million for School Year 2016-2017. The cost for providing health care and welfare services followed making up $38.5 million. Public safety agencies reported expenditures at $35.3 million in FY 2017. For the past thirteen years, the Government of Guam expended a total of $1.2billion in accrued costs.

2018 Estimates of Compact of Free Association Migrants, U.S. Census Bureau

o    Revised 2018 Estimates (April 23, 2020)

Revised 2018 Estimates (April 23, 2020) (106.39 KB)

o    Census Letter (April 23, 2020)

Census Letter (April 23, 2020) (96.36 KB)

o    Census Revised Estimate Code Specifications (April 23, 2020)

Census Revised Estimate Code Specifications (April 23, 2020) (136.83 KB)

• 2013 Estimates of Compact of Free Association Migrants, U.S. Census Bureau

o    Revised 2013 Estimates (April 23, 2020)

Revised 2013 Estimates (April 23, 2020) (106.72 KB)

• 2008 Estimates of Compact of Free Association Migrants, U.S. Census Bureau

Compact Impact Reports

• • 2022 Guam Compact Impact Report

  • 2020 Guam Compact Impact Report

  • 2017 Guam Compact Impact Report

  • 2016 Guam Compact Impact Report 

  • 2015 Guam Compact Impact Report

  • 2014 Guam Compact Impact Report 

  • 2013 Guam Compact Impact Report

  • 2012 Guam Compact Impact Report

  • 2011 Guam Compact Impact Report and 2012 Analysis of Compact Impact

  • 2010 Guam Compact Impact Report

  • Guam Report FY04-FY09, Impact of the Compacts of Free Association
    on Guam

    • June 29, 2009 – OIA Transmittal Letter to T.H. Joe Biden, President of the Senat

    • June 29, 2009 – OIA Transmittal Letter to T.H. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representative

  • Guam Report FY-04-FY07, Impact of the Compacts of Free Association
    on Guam

  • 2004 Compact Impact on Guam

  • 1999 Ernst and Young Analysis for Guam on Compact Impact

  • 1998 Guam Activities Related to Compact Impact

  • 1990 The Foreign Born Population on Guam

  • FY1989 to FY1994 Pacific Immigration Impact

  • FY1989 to FY2003 Compact Impact Report

  • FY1988 to FY2001 Compact Impact Repor

  • FY1987 to FY2003 Compact Impact Repor

  • 1986 to 1988 Compact Impact on Guam