Dhaka, Dec. 26 -- The United States on Tuesday said Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau held a call with Palau President Surangel Whipps to discuss the possible transfer of third-country nationals to the Pacific Island nation, despite Palau's lawmakers having earlier rejected a similar proposal from Washington.

According to a statement from the US State Department, the two leaders discussed a new US-Palau Memorandum of Understanding regarding the transfer of third-country nationals with no known criminal histories.

President Donald Trump's immigration policies, including a sweeping deportation drive, have drawn criticism from human rights advocates over concerns related to due process.

The Trump administration has also sent hu...