FSM Information Services
Press Release
President Panuelo Signs Executive Order to Enhance the Department of Justice’s Capacity to Serve the Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On September 16th 2019, His Excellency David W. Panuelo signed a Presidential Order amending Executive Order No.1 (April 2008) to reorganize and expand the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Division of National Police, and to the Division of Immigration & Labor, and to formalize the establishment of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division of the Department of Justice. This release intends to explain what exactly the FSM National Government is doing, and why, with regards to this reorganization, focusing firstly on the FSM National Police, secondly on the Division of Immigration & Labor, and thirdly on the Anti-Human Trafficking Division.
FSM National Police
The Division of National Police (i.e. FSM National Police) within the Department of Justice is being split into two separate divisions: the Division of Investigation and Protective Services, and the Division of Border Control and Maritime Surveillance. This is primarily to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability, as while all who serve in the FSM National Police are sworn to protect and serve the people and Government of the Federated States of Micronesia, this is accomplished in different ways depending on one’s assignment.
The Division of Investigation and Protective Services is responsible for the direct investigation of criminal acts, and the protection of people and property that fall within the jurisdiction of the FSM National Government, including the 24/7 security of the President, foreign dignitaries, and airports.
The Division of Border Control and Maritime Surveillance enforces Titles 18 and 24 of the FSM Code i.e. they will be conducting surveillance operations and security patrols over all of the ocean-space that the falls within the Nation’s jurisdiction, including conducting search and rescue operations, and exercising the security and protective functions of Customs and Quarantine.
In short, the former Division of National Police accomplishes the same tasks as before—but the road going ahead is to do so in a way that will improve the quality and efficiency of the work of the Nation’s noble men and women who choose to serve and protect the people and Government.
Division of Immigration & Labor
The Division of Immigration & Labor is also split into two separate divisions: the Division of Labor, and the Division of Immigration and Passport Services. This is primarily to improve the Nation’s capacity to build and uphold its commitment to meeting the Nation’s labor demands, and to improve the Nation’s capacity to regulate entry into the FSM and enhance the processing of passport applications and renewals.
The Division of Labor will be responsible for reviewing foreign labor application permits, coordinating with the FSM States with respect to meeting their labor demands, managing and regulating the outward movement of labor from the FSM to other countries, and reviewing labor contracts, including the investigation of complaints and violations.
The Division of Immigration & Passport Services will regulate the entry of foreign citizens (legally titled “aliens”), manage and supervise the Border Management System (this is essentially a database of who comes and goes, including where they’re from, what they’re doing, how long they’re staying, etc.), and to maintain the security and quality of FSM passports, including ways to improve the processing of passport applications. The FSM National Government notes that, particularly at its Embassy in Washington, D.C. and its Consulates in Portland, Honolulu, and Guam, passport services are increasingly important and requested by citizens. It is the intention of the Panuelo-George administration to place immigration staff at the FSM’s consulates in Guam, Honolulu, and Portland to better serve the Nation’s citizens.
Division of Anti-Human Trafficking Services
In July 2019, President Panuelo advised the attendees of the Anti-Human Trafficking Conference that “We will send a message from the FSM to the world…if you’ve come to exploit our youth, you’ve come to the wrong country. …We are unified and singing the same song in our work together to prevent and end the evil of human trafficking.” The Division of Anti-Human Trafficking Services is a new division in the Department of Justice, and is a result of the FSM National Government’s efforts to ensure that every man, woman, and child in the Nation can enjoy a safe life in the paradise in our backyards.
The Division of Anti-Human Trafficking Services, which will be headed by an Assistant Secretary designated by the Secretary of Justice, will investigate reports and complaints involving, or possibly involving, trafficking in persons or related offenses. The Division will coordinate with the National Policy in investigation, including the interviewing of witnesses and the gathering of evidence. Further, the Division will conduct public awareness campaigns, with the ultimate goal of eradicating human trafficking from the Nation so thoroughly and completely that future generations of citizens will learn about trafficking as a problem solved long ago.
Citizens and stakeholders are encouraged to read the Presidential Order in full, which can be found here: https://gov.fm/files/Presidential%20Orders/September_16_2019_-_PO_for_DOJ_reorganization.pdf
