Kathmandu. WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has begun deporting migrants to Palau, one of the most populous islands in the tropical Pacific, as President Donald Trump tightens his immigration policy, Palau said Wednesday.

President Donald Trump is also pushing to send asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants from the United States to places like El Salvador and Uganda.

In December, the United States agreed with Palau to resettle the refugees in exchange for $75 million.

Palau’s President Suranzel Whips’ office said the migrants had arrived in Coral Atoll, about 800 kilometers (100 miles) east of the Philippines.

Whipps hailed the resettlement agreement as a breakthrough for Palau and the United States at a signing ceremony in December.

He said that the United States will help the deportees and provide the necessary guidance. In the same way, he expressed hope that they will find jobs in Palau and be happy.

Under the agreement, Palau will have full choice about who will and will not accept all deportees, including those with criminal records.

In return, the United States will provide $47.5 million to Palau “to support public service operations and infrastructure development,” according to the agreement.

However, critics have expressed concern about the issue, accusing the United States of using countries like Palau as “dumping grounds” for undocumented immigrants.

A State Department spokesperson said the Trump administration “remains committed to ending illegal and mass migration and strengthening U.S. border security.”

As a general matter, the official did not comment on details of private diplomatic communications with other governments.

With about 20,000 people spread across hundreds of volcanic islands and coral atolls, Palau is the world’s smallest country by population and has long been the United States’ closest ally in the Pacific.

Palau gained independence in 1994 but the U.S. military is still allowed to use its territory under a long-standing “Compact of Free Association” agreement.

In return, the United States agreed to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in financial assistance to Palau to take responsibility for its national defense.