(2022-0596-F) Detention of asylum seekers on Wake Island

The materials in FOIA 2022-0596-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related material. This collection contains records regarding the Clinton Administration’s use of Wake Island as a detention location for asylum seekers. Wake Island is a 5 square mile coral atoll in the western Pacific Ocean. The United States has claimed it as a territory since 1899, and it is currently administered by the United States Air Force. It is also claimed by the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Historically, the United States has used Wake Island as Pacific fueling stop and emergency landing area. It has also been a missile launch and test site. The Clinton Administration, however, gave the island a new purpose as a migrant processing center. On July 3, 1995, the United State Coast Guard interdicted the Jung Sheng Number 8, a 160 foot long vessel carrying 147 passengers and 12 crew members near Hawaii. The conditions on board, particularly for the passengers, were inhumane and the Coast Guard took possession of the ship and transported  those on board to Wake Island. The U. S. Government formed a Joint Task Force (JTF) of the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force in the Pacific Command to house and process the migrants on the island, and to eventually repatriate them. The JTF completed its mission between July 21 and August 10, 1995. The Administration did at times consider Wake Island for future migrant processing efforts, but often discarded it as an option due to its limited size and the expense associated setting up housing there. The records processed in response to this FOIA include National Security Council (NSC) cables and emails. The cables primarily consist of State Department and military communications regarding the Jung Sheng migrants on Wake Island, including copies of JTF orders, press guidance, and legal discussions. The NSC Emails contain updates on the Jung Sheng migrants and discussions regarding funding for migrant processing. These include an August 1995 discussions with members of Congress and drafts of a memo for Sandy Berger regarding these issues. There is also some discussion from late 1996 onwards regarding the legal authorities involved in interdiction on the high seas. Many of the records related to this FOIA case are closed for national security reasons.