A Marshallese man living homeless in Majuro raised concerns for two members of the Marshall Islands Deportation Taskforce after he was discovered in poor health condition and hospitalized. The two members, Taskforce Chair and Ebon Senator Marie Davis Milne and Riem Simon, have been advocating that essential services be provided to individuals who have been involuntarily removed from the US.

The local term often used for these individuals is “deportee,” a term that carries discrimination for these individuals due to recent crimes committed by individuals with the same background. Time and time again, Marie and Riem have pleaded for the government to create a system to cater to the returned individuals. A halfway house or similar institution to house, monitor and use as a transitional phase is ideal for returned individuals.

The only system in place is the direct communication between the US Department of Homeland officials and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade prior to a deportation. Once documents and permission is granted by the home foreign affairs office in Majuro, federal escorts transfer individuals on the United Airlines flight to the Amata Kabua International Airport. Once off the flight, individuals are their own responsibility. There is no receiving mechanism in place, no welcome party, transpiration or the slightest information officer to direct individuals on what to do next. Basically, it’s like releasing an animal to the wild without transitional assistance.

The case of the hospitalized man, who is a native of Carlos Island on Kwajalein, is testament to the growing need of a halfway house institution. The man had no known relative in Majuro after living years in the US and was left to fend for himself. As it turned out, the man was sleeping outside the warehouse at the dock area in Uliga, where, according to the man, he planned to hop on the next vessel bound for Kwajalein. The difficulty of having no money or proper documents hindered his plan. The man slept in the dock area for five days before he was discovered by Riem Simon.

Riem shares the same history of deportation but has managed to reinvent himself and become a businessman. Riem has been advocating for the need for a halfway house for many years. His advocacy was recognized by President Hilda Heine and her administration, resulting in Riem becoming a vital member of the Deportation Taskforce.

“No one should be treated like that at all,” Riem said of his new friend, now currently living at Riem’s home in Uliga. Riem and Marie are working with the man to obtain IDs prior to his return to Kwajalein. “Who knows how many have been returned and are in similar situations out there? We need to improve and prioritize our goal if we really care about our people,” Riem said.