More refugees sent to US

By HELEN TARAWA
FORTY refugees, the second lot from Manus under a regional resettlement arrangement, left Port Moresby for the United States last week.
Minister for Immigration and Border Security Petrus Thomas, in announcing the departure of the refugees, said he was pleased to see significant progress in the US resettlement deal. “The PNG Government is appreciative of the support and efforts made by the US Department of Homeland Security in giving the clearance for 40 genuine
refugees on Manus Island to resettle in the United States,” Thomas said.
Chief Immigration Officer Solomon Kantha said the departure of the 40 refugees was the latest development in Manus under the arrangement.
Thomas said the first lot of 25 refugees departed PNG for the US in September.
He said that some refugees still on Manus would be considered under the US settlement arrangement and he expected a third batch to depart PNG.
He added the decision on US resettlement was done by the US government.
Thomas said he was also pleased to see some non-refugees accept assistance to return home voluntarily and encouraged others to do the same.
Meanwhile, Kantha said he was unable to comment about an asylum seeker currently admitted to the Pacific International Hospital.