Migration in the Federated States of Micronesia A COUNTRY PROFILE 2015 Migration in the Federated States of Micronesia States Federated in the Migration Caroline Islands Yap Chuuk Kosrae Pohnpei A COUNTRY PROFILE 2015 PROFILE A COUNTRY International Organization for Migration (IOM) 17 route des Morillons, P.O. Box 17, 1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland Tel.: +41 22 717 9111 • Fax: +41 22 798 6150 E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.iom.int The opinions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the report do not imply expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IOM concerning legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries. IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As an intergovernmental organization, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to: assist in the meeting of operational challenges of migration; advance understanding of migration issues; encourage social and economic development through migration; and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants. This publication is co-funded by the IOM Development Fund. Publisher: International Organization for Migration 17 route des Morillons P.O. Box 17 1211 Geneva 19 Switzerland Tel.: +41 22 717 9111 Fax: +41 22 798 6150 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.iom.int _____________________________________________________ © 2016 International Organization for Migration (IOM) _____________________________________________________ All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. 61_15 Migration in the Federated States of Micronesia A COUNTRY PROFILE 2015 FOREWORD Like many small island developing States (SIDS), the Federated States of Micronesia faces many challenges in its quest for greater sustainable development and economic stability. So exceptional are the problems faced by SIDS that their special development needs were specifically mentioned in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and reiterated in the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway in September 2014. It is recognized that the ability of SIDS, such as the Federated States of Micronesia to sustain high levels of economic growth and job creation has and continues to be affected by the ongoing adverse impacts of the global economic crisis, declining foreign direct investment, trade imbalances, lack of adequate connectivity, energy and information and communications technology infrastructure networks, limited human and institutional capacity and the inability to integrate effectively into the global economy. The growth prospects of these States will also continue to be hindered by other factors, including the impact of climate change. Micronesia, through the Compact of Free Association signed with the United States, receives significant direct assistance to assist in its path towards economic self-sufficiency. In addition to tourism, which is slowly growing, emphasis should be placed on the potential that Micronesia has through its 2,996,410 sq. km. Economic Exclusive Zone and focusing more towards an ocean-based economy. International migration trends in the Federated States of Micronesia have been shaped by the possibilities offered to the Micronesians to move and work freely in the United States since 1986. However, from the data collected in this first Migration Profile, the potential that migration can bring to the socioeconomic development of Micronesia is still untapped. If adequately managed, migration can enable economic development by providing the necessary skills, labour and innovation, such as through contributions of transnational and diaspora communities. The important vulnerability, however, of the Federated States of Micronesia to the damaging impacts of natural disasters and induced displacement ought to be carefully monitored. The recent Super Typhoon Maysak in March 2015, which affected 29,000 persons and damaged nearly 615 houses, is a vivid example of the risk. On the other hand, migration can also constitute an adaptation strategy to environmental change, confirmed in the recently adopted Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction (2015–2030). Migration in the Federated States of Micronesia – A Country Profile 2015 iii While migration to and within Micronesia has been increasing, available information and data on migration patterns and projections are still lacking. This first edition of the Migration Profile for the Federated States of Micronesia aims to support a stronger evidence-based policymaking to government and other migration management practitioners, and by ensuring that relevant government officials have the skills, tools and knowledge to regularly collect, consolidate, analyse and report on migration data. It should also constitute the basis of understanding on how migration can contribute to national development priorities within the four States of the Federated States of Micronesia. The Migration Profile of the Federated States of Micronesia resulted from a series of consultations involving more than 30 governmental agencies, civil society organizations and private sector representatives over a period of six months. These consultations allowed collating a comprehensive collection of migration data sets, analysis of gaps and identification of challenges. I would like to express my appreciation and sincere thanks to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia for their support and efforts in finalizing with IOM this first Migration Profile for the Federated States of Micronesia. Stuart Simpson Chief of Mission International Organization for Migration (IOM) IOM Micronesia iv Migration in the Federated States of Micronesia – A Country Profile 2015 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Main authors: Michael Levin (IOM Independent Consultant) Andrew Harrington (IOM Independent Consultant) Key institutional Office of Statistics, Budget and Economic partners: Management, Overseas Development, and Compact Management (SBOC) Department of Foreign Affairs Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Immigration and Labor Office (DOL) Contributing Division of Statistics (SBOC) agencies/ Overseas Development Assistance Division (SBOC) partners of Trade and Investment (Department of Research and the Federated States Development) of Micronesia Resources Management and Development – Tourism Unit (Department of Research and Development) Trade and Investment (Department of Research and Development) Department of Health and Social Affairs Department of Education Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia United States Embassy Division of National Police and Surveillance Transnational Crime Unit Office of the Public Defender Supreme Court of Micronesia Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) PNI State Governor’s Office Pohnpei Port Authority Banking Board of the Federates States of Micronesia PNI Office of State Social Affairs UN Joint Presence Bank of the FSM Peace Corps United Filipino Community of Pohnpei Association of Filipino Ladies in Pohnpei PNI Registrar Office Migration in the Federated States of Micronesia – A Country Profile 2015 v Guam: Bureau of Statistics and Plans University of Guam Guam Community College Guam Visitors Bureau Department of Education Department of Labor CNMI Department of Commerce Central Statistics Division Hawaii: University of Hawaii East-West Center Participating College of Micronesia agencies: Salvation Army Pohnpei Consumer Organization Pohnpei Legislature World Health Organization (WHO) Secretariat of the Pacific Community IOM project Zuzana Jankechova (IOM Programme Officer, Federated management team States of Micronesia) Lalini Veerassamy (IOM) vi Migration in the Federated States of Micronesia – A Country Profile 2015 CONTENTS Foreword ............................................................................................iii Acknowledgements .............................................................................v List of tables .......................................................................................ix List of figures .......................................................................................x Abbreviations and acronyms...............................................................xi Executive summary .......................................................................... xiii Introduction ........................................................................................1 Part A: Data sources on migration in the Federated States of Micronesia ...........................................................................3 A.1. Statistical data sources on migration ........................................................ 3 A.1.1. Data from censuses ........................................................................ 3 A.1.2. Sample surveys ............................................................................. 12 A.1.3. Other secondary statistical data sources ...................................... 14 A.2. Administrative data sources on migration .............................................. 15 A.2.1. Border data crossings ..................................................................