Federal immigration operations extend to Guam, raising regional concerns

BY PAULY SUBA
Journal Staff

Federal immigration enforcement efforts under President Donald Trump’s administration have reached Guam, with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers conducting operations on the island last week. The move has raised concerns across the Pacific about the broader implications of increased deportations.

A Newsweek report published on February 3 stated that HSI officers from Honolulu, Hawaii, traveled to Guam to detain immigrants with outstanding criminal warrants. The operation, conducted on January 31, involved collaboration between HSI, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and the U.S. Marshals Service. 

The Trump administration has prioritized immigration enforcement, particularly targeting individuals with criminal records. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem underscored this focus in a recent Fox News appearance, saying, “Americans overwhelmingly want criminal illegal aliens off our streets. They want these dirtbags out of our country. The fact that Biden didn’t remove these criminals shows that he wasn’t putting America first.”

Local officials defer to federal authorities

Local officials in Guam have largely deferred to federal agencies on the matter, emphasizing that immigration enforcement falls under federal jurisdiction.

Jenna Blas, public information officer for Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense, said, “While Government of Guam agencies are conducting all appropriate measures within their means, immigration is exclusively the jurisdiction of federal authorities. GHS/OCD does not have any further information on the matter.”

Similarly, Alana Chargualaf-Afaison, public information officer for Guam Customs and Quarantine, said, “ICE is the proper authority to respond on this matter.” Efforts to reach HSI Special Agent John Duenas, who oversees operations in Guam, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

In a letter to Speaker Frank Blas Jr. and Senator Telo Taitague, Guam Attorney General Douglas B.K. Moylan highlighted ongoing coordination with federal agencies. “We already have an effective program of deporting criminal non-US citizens as well, both pretrial and post-trial, in coordination with ICE and the cooperation of our judges,” Moylan wrote.

Speaking to the journal, Moylan confirmed ongoing collaboration with federal officials but clarified the focus of current enforcement efforts. “Yes, I have been working with newly directed officials from the Trump administration; however, we must make a distinction that their efforts are for persons like Chinese nationals who are truly illegally entering Guam,” Moylan said. “These non-USA citizens we have been dealing with the past two years are mainly persons initially legally among us, but have violated the treaty the USA has with their countries by breaking our laws (COFA, Palau), as well as permanent residents that commit crimes and become deportable by HS ICE.”

Deportation impact felt across the Pacific

The Trump administration’s intensified deportation efforts are being felt across the Pacific, with neighboring nations expressing concerns about the social and economic impact of returning deportees.

The Marshall Islands Journal reported on February 6 that Pacific Islanders—including Marshallese, Tongans, and Samoans—are being deported in increasing numbers. In 2024, the Marshall Islands saw a record 67 deportations, more than double the previous year’s total.

Michael Field, a New Zealand journalist, warned on social media about the potential consequences for Pacific nations. “Quite soon… a United States military aircraft will be landing at Tonga’s Fua’amotu Airport to offload dozens of Tongan citizens rounded up for being in the US without the proper documentation,” Field wrote, adding that many deportees may have criminal connections, raising fears of destabilization in small island nations.

Marshallese advocate Albious Latior urged community members to be cautious about relocating to areas where ICE operations have intensified. “We used to recommend NWA (Northwest Arkansas) as one of the safest places to raise a family,” Latior wrote in a social media post. “However, nowadays, we advise those with a past criminal record not to move to NWA due to these risks.”

Shift in deportation strategy

The Department of Defense is now playing a more prominent role. On February 5, The Week reported that 104 Indian nationals were deported from Guam to Amritsar, Punjab on a U.S. military flight—a departure from previous practices that relied on chartered flights managed by the Department of Homeland Security. 

According to the article, "Guam has been used as a staging point for these deportation flights, and sources indicate that this practice may continue in the future, making military aircraft the primary mode of transport for illegal immigrants being sent back to India."

Indian officials highlighted that the use of military aircraft could expedite future deportations, though concerns remain about the reintegration of deportees and the criminal networks facilitating illegal immigration. “Many such networks operate in Punjab and Haryana, smuggling people into the US while evading Indian law enforcement,” an Indian official told The Week. “We hope they get attention too.” mbj