Despite repeated requests, GovGuam will not get a seat at the Freely Associated States compact renegotiation table. Guam is seeking more than $1.5 billion in reimbursement for costs associated with FAS migration. But in a recent press briefing, the U.S. Interior Department made clear that the ongoing talks are between the federal government and the FAS only.

Assistant interior secretary Douglas Domenech, speaking at a virtual press briefing Friday hosted by Gary Sword of CNMI Radio, was asked about Guam's bid for representation at the talks, as the jurisdiction most heavily impacted by FAS migration.

"I'm aware that Guam has made this request. Their interest has primarily been related to compact impact funding, and the problem is compact impact is not really part of the negotiation. so there wouldn't be any benefit to them actually being there. This compact is between the United States and each country separately," Domenech explained.

But Guam has estimated it's spent about $1.5 billion in direct costs for public service, or an average of 150-million a year, since FAAS citizens were allowed visa free entry. Since 2003, the federal government has allocated about $30 million a year in total, for all impacted jurisdictions. Guam has received the largest portion, but only about $15 million annually.

"The expense of compact migrants in each of the areas is very high, and Guam has expressed concern about this. It's a top concern to us as well, and it's something we hope we can address in the eventual bill that is presented to congress but we need to get beyond the negotiations before we can do that," continued the secretary.

Assistant Secretary Domenech and FSM ambassador Karen Stewart are leading the compact renewal negotiations, which began in May. Interior has said it hopes to wrap up the talks by the end of the year.