Koror, Palau – The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection proudly announces the official swearing-in of Mr. Egan Tewid as the new Chief of Immigration under the Division of Immigration. The ceremony took place on Thursday, April 17, 2025, signifying a new chapter in leadership for Palau’s immigration services.
The Oath of Office was administered by Director of the Bureau of Public Safety, Mr. Curtis Elobt, and witnessed by Director of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Mr. John Tarkong Jr., Chief of Corporate Services, Mr. Robert Tarkong, along with Mr. Tewid’s family members who were present to commemorate the occasion.
Mr. Tewid holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Guam and previously worked under the Bureau of Budget and Planning, where he gained valuable experience in public sector planning and operations. His background in criminal justice and his understanding of government systems position him well to lead the Division with competence and purpose.
As Chief of Immigration, Mr. Tewid will oversee immigration operations, ensure the enforcement of immigration laws, facilitate effective inter-agency coordination, and support efforts to modernize immigration services. His leadership is expected to strengthen institutional integrity, improve operational efficiency, and enhance service to the public and travelers.
The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection welcomes Chief Tewid into this key leadership role and looks forward to his contributions in advancing the mission and goals of the Division of Immigration for the Republic of Palau.
Malakal – The Government of Palau, with technical assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has made significant progress in creating the country’s first national migration policy. On February 6-7, 2025, stakeholders convened in Malakal to review findings from a research study on Palau’s migration context.
The study, conducted by IOM and commissioned by the Government of Palau, forms the foundation for the nation’s migration policy. IOM consulted nearly 30 key stakeholders and conducted an extensive literature review to ensure the policy is based on robust data and evidence.
The workshop brought together members of the Coordinated Border Management (CBM) Working Group, government entities, civil society organizations, migrant associations, the diplomatic corps, and other key actors involved in migration governance.
Participants discussed five critical themes: Emigration, Diaspora Engagement, and Return; Migrant Worker Issues; Trafficking in Persons; Internal Migration; and Border Management and Law Enforcement.
During the workshop, stakeholders validated the research findings and considered how the policy could address Palau’s unique migration challenges and opportunities. They also explored solutions for supporting the return and reintegration of Palauan living abroad, hiring foreign migrant workers, climate-induced displacement, and strengthening border management systems.
“The insights gathered during this workshop will ensure that Palau’s migration policy is comprehensive, inclusive, and responsive to the country’s needs,” said Mr. John Tarkong Jr., Director, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. “Through collaborative efforts, we are building a stronger framework to manage migration effectively and harness its benefits for Palau’s socioeconomic development.”
IOM’s Chief of Mission for Micronesia, Salvatore Sortino, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting Palau’s migration governance efforts. “Migration, when well-managed, can be a powerful driver of economic and social development. This policy will help Palau address challenges while unlocking the benefits of migration for its people. We are proud to support the Government of Palau in this crucial initiative,” Sortino said.
The policy is being developed under the Building Bridges: Developing a Comprehensive National Migration Policy for the Republic of Palau project, which was launched in February 2024 in the presence of President Surangel Whipps Jr. and his Cabinet of Ministers. Funded by the IOM Development Fund, the project aims to enhance migration governance frameworks through improved coordination, policy development, and capacity-building initiatives tailored to national contexts.
As part of this initiative, in May 2024, IOM conducted a three-day ‘Migration Management’ course for Palauan government officials to equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary for active participation in policy formulation. These officials applied their newfound skills and insights during the recent research validation workshop.
The research validation workshop marked an essential step in Palau’s journey towards a structured and strategic approach to migration management. The policy development process will continue in the coming months, ensuring that all stakeholders remain engaged in shaping a migration framework that benefits Palau and its people.
Koror, Palau – On October 15, 2024, President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. signed Executive Order No. 489 which amended the term of the Coordinated Border Management (CBM) Working Group to remain in effect, as it expired on September 30, 2024 as established through Executive Order No. 475.
The CBM Working Group is mandated to emphasize coordination and mutual assistance among the various government agencies to strengthen Palau’s border security and management, modernize our border management practices by streamlining policies and enhancing our technological systems, and combat the ongoing challenges and threats posed by transnational crimes and other illegal cross-border activities.
Successful facilitation, collaboration, and resource-sharing among border agencies has proven that the CBM Working group is a critical platform for enhancing the Republic’s border security.
Koror, Palau – The Republic of Palau tackled its unique migration challenges head-on with a three-day Migration Management Course held from May 7-9, 2024 at the Palau Royal Resort. Organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) bringing in key stakeholders from the Coordinated Border Management Working Group (CBMWG) as well as other partner agencies from NEMO, MHRCTD, and MOS, the course aimed to address critical issues surrounding migration governance and policy development.
Palau faces distinct migration dynamics due to its geography, economic status, climate change vulnerabilities, and the Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States. Despite the potential benefits migration could bring to Palau’s development, the absence of national policies has delayed effective management of migration trends and outcomes.
In response, the “Building Bridges” project, initiated in 2023, aimed to develop a comprehensive national migration policy for Palau. This endeavor seeks to integrate findings form the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Governance Indicators exercise and prioritize gender considerations. The resulting policy will align with Palau’s broader development strategies, including the National Policy and the Palau Development Plan.
The recent capacity-building training, drawing upon IOM’s “Essential of Migration Management” program, equipped CBMWG members and stakeholders with tools to actively engage in policy formulation. Facilitated by IOM experts, participants gained insights into key migration issues such as labor migration, climate change adaptation, and diaspora engagement.
The workshop’s objectives included fostering a distinct understanding of migration’s dual nature as both a challenge and an opportunity, and empowering stakeholders to contribute effectively to policy development and implementation. Participants left the training prepared to collaborate across government agencies, civil society, and international organizations to advance Palau’s migration governance agenda.
With a holistic and participatory approach emphasizing shared expertise and collective learning, the course ensured that the participants were actively engaged and primed to drive positive change in Palau’s migration landscape.
In late February, a team from the Bureau of Customs, Joline Spesungel and its Division of Immigration Officers, Jake Ramon and Levi Idechong met with the Digital Residency Office Director Jay Anson at Minneapolis for a demonstration visitation of the Biometrics system. This project has been initiated to update and replace the Border Management System currently being used in Palau and will allow for an swift integration of the Biometrics equipment that are already in Palau. The project will commence testing on mid to late March, and will be fully operational in the coming months when all the requirements are met.
Palau, November 06, 2023 – In a pivotal move towards fortifying Palau’s commitment to combating human trafficking, the Office of the Vice President and the Ministry of Justice, led by the Honorable Vice President and Minister of Justice, J. Uduch Sengebau Senior, joined hands with Minister of Finance, Kaleb Udui, Jr., Director of the Bureau of Customs ·and Border Protection, John Tarkong, Jr., and Acting Chief of Division of Transnational Crime, Lt. Rickley Antonio, to sign a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 02, 2023.
This historic MOU signifies the collective dedication of these key government bodies to defining their roles and sharing vital information for the effective execution of Palau’s AntiHuman Trafficking Program. The signing ceremony took place at the Vice President’s Office Conference Room and marked a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to combat human trafficking.
The primary objective of this MOU is to establish a common understanding and a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, particularly its AntiHuman Trafficking unit, and the Ministry of Finance, encompassing its Division of Immigration. Together, these parties aim to bolster Palau’s anti-human trafficking program.
The MOU focuses on formalizing procedures and fostering a unified understanding between the Ministry of Justice’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the Ministry of Finance’s Division of Immigration. This synergy is vital to enable effective law enforcement and to eliminate potential vulnerabilities that human traffickers may exploit. The MOU outlines key strategies, including monitoring high-risk countries and closely scrutinizing visa applications, extensions, departures, and other immigration data to identify patterns indicative of human trafficking activities.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice, through its Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, commits to providing timely information to the Division of immigration regarding any known or suspected human trafficking patterns. This collaboration ensures that Division of Immigration officers are well-informed about the signs and signals of human trafficking in the course of their duties. It also assists the Division of immigration in shaping their policies and processes and facilitates seamless communication through up-to-date contact details for all Anti-Human Trafficking Unit officers.
This MOU is not only a symbol of unwavering commitment to eradicating human trafficking in Palau but also a testament to the government’s dedication to the safety and well-being of its citizens and residents. It paves the way for a stronger and more coordinated effort against this grave issue that affects societies worldwide.
Tokyo, Japan: A delegation from the Governments of Fiji, Palau, and Vanuatu has travelled to Japan this week, furthering a collaborative partnership between the three countries in the areas of digitization and border management.
As part of its commitment to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision, the Government of Japan strives to promote unrestricted and resilient economic activity throughout the region. Recognizing the significance of digitalization, the Government of Japan is supporting the adoption of digital solutions for border management across the Pacific to advance economic growth.
The study tour is supported by the Government of Japan and its Project for Strengthening Border Control Capacity for the COVID-19 Crisis, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji.
The project aims to support border agencies in Fiji, Palau and Vanuatu in reinforcing their capacities, capabilities and systems for effective and efficient movement of travellers and cargo, and to strengthen links for data and knowledge sharing, inter-agency and cross-regional cooperation, and the use of digitalization as a border management tool across the Pacific.
Following an initial video link with the Government of Japan’s Digital Agency – which commenced the digitalization conversations in April – and a visit to Fiji in May from Digital Agency officials, representatives from Fiji, together with Palau and Vanuatu, have travelled to Tokyo to further discuss the implementation of a digital arrival card system to streamline border entry processes.
The digital arrival card is an electronic version of the physical arrival card currently in use, containing personal information, trip and health declaration details. It is an online document that can be accessed through mobile devices and computers allowing passengers to fill and submit information prior to arrival, and is currently used in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan.
Spearheaded by Fiji’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, the rollout of a digitized arrivals systems for passengers entering the country falls in line with the government’s overall digital transformation strategy, along with the National Border Security Upgrade Priorities 2023-2028.
While in Japan the delegation will see firsthand how the Visit Japan Web digital arrival system – led by Japan’s Digital Agency – works at various ports of entry, discuss relevant legislation and coordination with multiple agencies, budget and software maintenance, and associated information management and cyber security risks associated with a digitized arrival card initiative.
The establishment of Visit Japan Web has been warmly received by incoming passengers to the country’s ports of entry – greatly improving quarantine, immigration and customs declaration processes.
Director-General Group of Service for Citizens, Digital Agency of Japan, Keisuke Murakami, made note of the significance of the collaboration.
“It is our pleasure to share our experiences of Visit Japan Web with our Pacific neighbours, and we warmly welcome the delegation to Tokyo. Following our visit to Fiji earlier this year we are excited to continue supporting the digitalization efforts of other countries across the region, and we look forward to showcasing our world-leading work in the field of automation and digitalization,” he said.
Leading the delegation to Japan, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, Mason Smith, said digitizing the arrivals process into the country would create a single window passenger clearance system, reducing clearance time and person-to-person contact for those entering Fiji.
“The digitization of Fiji’s passenger arrival card will create a future where seamless entry experiences, advanced data management, and robust security measures become the norm. This process will strengthen the country’s immigration and security systems, this being of particular importance for Fiji as tourism numbers continue to surge on the back of COVID-19 restrictions ending. On behalf of the Government of Fiji I would like to thank the Government of Japan for their strong partnership in helping to support this rollout,” he said.
Resident Representative, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Munkhtuya Altangerel, said the project champions collaboration and knowledge sharing, with the visit to Japan to boost border management in Fiji.
“The reasons for having a digitalization strategy are clear, but the difficulties of putting it into practice are often underestimated. This visit to Japan’s Digital Agency alongside the ongoing support from UNDP’s Integrated Border Management Project are helping us to build genuine cooperation between key border management stakeholders throughout the Pacific region,” she said.
For further media enquiries please contact: Nick Turner, Communications and Advocacy Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji. (P) +679 971 6458 – (E) nicholas.turner@undp.org
Over the past 2 weeks, Customs, Immigration and Biosecurity Officers (CIB) from both management and intermediate levels have been meeting at least three times a week to discuss and work on their strategic plan as an activity organized by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP). According to Director John Tarkong Jr., these sessions of meetings have really focused on developing a strategic plan aimed at fruitful discussions to help identify and analyze issues, existing activities and measures that also involve policy at the Bureau level that we hope will strengthen BCBP to work smarter, be more innovative and more efficient over the next four years. In line with these discussions, Tarkong mentioned that we are also fortunate to receive online technical assistance from the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) through the advice and expertise of a consultant to help us review our work and point us in the right direction.
A number of challenges were identified to include the COVID-19 Pandemic that affected everyone in Palau and the world and, as a result, this called for greater collaboration between our border, law enforcement and other relevant agencies. Our vision and plan, while still in the making, includes measurable standards and targets and once completed it will help lay out a realistic strategy for reforming our organization over the next four to five years. While there are indeed significant initiatives that are essential to enable CIB Officers to fulfill our institutional obligations and to become a reliable, trustworthy and an efficient organization, a number of strategic objectives and focus points were formulated. In fact, CIB officers felt that it is very important that we continue to build and invest in our people and technical resources while enhancing border control, infrastructure improvements, strengthen the legal framework, improve travel and trade facilitation, improving revenue and compliance measures as well as improving our overall service delivery. Over the next few weeks, CIB will continue to work and develop the plan. Stay tuned.
