Palau’s fiscal year 2011 budget provides funding for the consulate of Guam only.
The government said Guam, as the entry point to the U.S. for Palauan citizens, is a convenient location for Palauans in the Marianas to seek passport and immigration services as well as employment authorization forms.
Without the Guam office, Palauans would have to seek consulate services at the Palau Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The government said the military buildup is among the reasons why it decided to keep the consulate on Guam open.
There is also a “strong” Palauan student presence at the University of Guam, the region’s only fully accredited university, the government said.
