The plight of Micronesians in Hawaii and the economic impacts of COFA (Compact of Free Association) migration are inexorably linked to the social, economic and political development of the Freely Associated States (FAS).

Analogy with migration at the southern border is tempting, but understates the issues when it comes to Micronesia, Palau and the Marshalls.

These former American protectorates are integral to U.S. defense policy, and have enjoyed unparalleled levels of direct U.S. economic assistance for decades. Their citizens’ right to come freely to the U.S. are enshrined in law. Their sons and daughters enlist in the U.S. military at per-capita rates beyond any state in the union.

Despite the long partnership and shared history, the FAS, and particularly the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), face major economic, social and governance challenges. These challenges present an opportunity for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to undermine U.S. commitment to a free and open Pacific.

Chinese interest in Micronesia is deliberate and far sighted, while remaining at odds with American — and Micronesian — interests and values. To date, Chinese malfeasance has worked because of, not despite, the monolithic nature and volume of U.S. assistance, which is structured toward sustaining operations and services of the four state governments. The PRC favors high visibility projects, mostly aimed at the growing national FSM government.

The PRC’s efforts capitalize on tension and ambiguity, both of which flourish in dispersed, heterogeneous islands joined in a loose federation, with few organized institutions outside the public sector.

Current U.S. assistance programs do not merely exclude most civil society actors; they actively impair development of civil society. Philanthropic and multilateral donors too often identify Micronesia as a nation oversaturated when measured by sheer official development assistance sums.

A more robust Micronesian civil society, with dynamic ties to the U.S., would enrich and clarify the longstanding U.S. commitment and empower citizens. Islanders would see improved avenues for promoting a responsive public sector.

Hawaii’s U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and Congressman Ed Case have introduced bills that would improve, expand and rationalize development assistance across the Pacific. Distinct in detail, each aims to establish comprehensive U.S. strategy, and ultimately provide robust diplomatic and development commitment across the Pacific. Both bills reference the special significance of the Freely Associated States.

These timely proposals both underestimate the situation on the ground. The three FAS nations need more support in developing their nascent civil societies before they can fully benefit from assistance envisioned in S. 1774 and H.R. 2967. Both bills suppose existing nongovernmental organizations are vibrant enough to tackle thorny issues such as public corruption. Frustratingly, they are not.

At the same time, a one-size-fits-all USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) program that works well in Tonga or Fiji will not yield similar results in the FAS. These small, scattered and culturally heterogenous islands require a more granular approach. Traditions of social organization and cooperation are rich in the Western Pacific, but rarely organized along the formal lines required to apply for U.S. development assistance.

While nonprofits working in Hawaii, such as We Are Oceania, have showcased the tremendous capacity of Micronesians to pursue and effect positive change through civil society, there are virtually no such organizations working within the FSM. Amending S. 1174 and H.R. 2967 to provide more foundational support for NGO (nongovernmental organization) work inside the FAS on conservation, education, gender equality and health care would lay the groundwork.

Neil Mellen was a Peace Corps volunteer on Ulithi Atoll in Yap State, Micronesia; he is the founder of Habele, a U.S. nonprofit serving students and schools across the Federated States of Micronesia.