Editing Guam (section)

=== Pacific migration to Guam ===
The [[Compact of Free Association|Compacts of Free Association]] (COFA) between the United States, the [[Federated States of Micronesia]], the Republic of the [[Marshall Islands]], and the Republic of [[Palau]] accords the former entities of the [[Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands]] a political status of "free association" with the United States. The Compacts generally allow citizens of these island nations to reside in the 50 United States, and in US territories. Many people from other Pacific islands were attracted to Guam due to its proximity, environmental, and cultural familiarity.

Due to the impact of increased utilization of public assistance programs due to immigration, aid has been provided to the nations receiving immigrants. In 2003, the amended COFA was enacted, which provided 30 million dollars annually to Guam, Hawaii, [[American Samoa]] and the [[Northern Mariana Islands]], as well as to forgive 157 million dollars of Guam's debt to the federal government to offset money already spent on public assistance programs.<ref>{{Cite act | title = Compact of Free Associate Amendments Act of 2003 | year = 2003 | url = https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/public-law-108-188-December-17-2003.pdf}}</ref> In 2024, the COFA was amended again to renew aid the freely associated nations as well as Guam and other U.S. Pacific territories.<ref>{{Cite act | title = Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 | year = 2024 | url = https://www.congress.gov/118/plaws/publ42/PLAW-118publ42.pdf}}</ref>