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Agence France-Presse

Australia has announced an agreement with the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru, enabling it to send hundreds of immigrants to the barren island.
The deal affects more than 220 immigrants in Australia, including some convicted of serious crimes.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke signed the memorandum of understanding on a visit to Nauru, the government said in a statement on Friday.
“It contains undertakings for the proper treatment and long-term residence of people who have no legal right to stay in Australia, to be received in Nauru,” it said.
“Australia will provide funding to underpin this arrangement and support Nauru’s long-term economic resilience.”
Canberra did not provide financial details.
The Sydney Morning Herald said, however, that Australia would pay Nauru A$408 million (US$267 million) and about A$70 million (US$45 million) a year thereafter under the deal.
“Anyone who doesn’t have a valid visa should leave the country,” Burke said in a statement.
“This is a fundamental element of a functioning visa system.”

Australia’s government has been searching for a way to deal with immigrants who have no other country to go to when their visas are cancelled.
The High Court ruled in 2023 that indefinite detention was “unlawful” if deportation was not an option, leading to the release of 220 people.
The number of immigrants in that situation now numbers more than 350, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
In February, Australia paid an undisclosed sum for Nauru to accept three immigrants convicted of violent offences, though legal challenges have reportedly stalled their transfer.
Last year, Australia and Nauru signed an agreement spanning maritime security, defence and policing.
Nauru, population 12,500, is one of the world’s smallest countries, with a mainland measuring just 20 sq km (7.7 square miles).
It is considered especially vulnerable to climate change and has high rates of unemployment and health issues, a recent World Bank assessment said.
Unusually pure phosphate deposits – a key ingredient in fertiliser – once made Nauru one of the wealthiest places per capita on the planet.
But those supplies have long dried up, and researchers today estimate that 80 per cent of Nauru has been rendered uninhabitable by mining.


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Australia to send immigrants to Nauru after signing deal, including for funding

A view of Ewa on the Pacific nation of Nauru. Australia says it will provide funding to Nauru under a deal to send immigrants to the island nation. Photo: AFP

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A member of Philippine Navy personnel conducts an officer of the watch exercise as part of Exercise Alon 2025. Photo: Facebook/Armed Forces of the Philippines

Australian troops carry out a personnel transfer drill as part of Exercise Alon 2025 with the Philippines. Photo: Facebook/Armed Forces of the Philippines

HMAS Brisbane sails behind the Philippines’ BRP Jose Rizal during Exercise Alon 2025. Photo: Facebook/Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine and Australian personnel pose for a group photo aboard the BRP Jose Rizal after completing a day’s activities as part of Exercise Alon 2025. Photo: Facebook/Armed Forces of the Philippines

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The deal is set to affect more than 220 immigrants in Australia, including some convicted of serious crimes


The deal is set to affect more than 220 immigrants in Australia, including some convicted of serious crimes.


Australia to send immigrants to Nauru after signing deal, including for funding

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The deal is set to affect more than 220 immigrants in Australia, including some convicted of serious crimes

The deal is set to affect more than 220 immigrants in Australia, including some convicted of serious crimes