A century-old connection between Tonga and the United States is facing new challenges as Tongans on both sides of the Pacific grapple with the fallout of the Trump Administration’s restrictive immigration policies.
As reported by Kaniva News, the Tongan government is now crafting a response to appease the Trump administration following threats to ban the kingdom’s citizens from travelling to the United States.
A memo from the Trump administration demanded that Tonga and several other countries take action to address what it described as “widespread government fraud”, reduce visa overstays by their citizens in the U.S., and demonstrate that they have “a competent or cooperative central government authority capable of producing reliable identity and civil documents.
These countries were also asked whether they would accept third-country nationals deported from the United States or agree to a ‘safe third country’ arrangement—measures that might alleviate further concerns.
It remains unclear which of the listed concerns specifically apply to Tonga or whether all are relevant. Tongan Prime Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Eke stated he was “seriously alarmed” upon receiving the notification from the U.S. government. He confirmed that a formal response is currently being drafted.
Forgotten Pioneers’ Legacy
The historic ties between the two countries, dating back to 1924, were quietly forged by what appeared to be the first known Tongans to settle in the U.S. permanently—two German-Tongan boys, Tupou Hettig and Rudy Wolfgramm—whose stories have long been overlooked.
Newly uncovered records from the now-defunct Tonga News, based in Utah, reveal that Hettig arrived in 1924, followed by Wolfgramm in the early 1930s. Both were descendants of German-Tongan families and were aided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
While their journeys marked the beginning of permanent Tongan migration, earlier arrivals included Tongans in Hawaii as early as 1916 and a Tongan man who travelled to Utah in 1924 for education.
Most documented records indicate that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church), an American-founded denomination, began its presence in Tonga in 1891.
The first missionaries arrived that same year, though the church was not officially established there until 1924.
Today, as modern Tongan communities navigate visa hurdles and fears of deportation, this little-known history highlights the deep yet fragile roots of a diaspora caught in the crossfire of shifting U.S. policies.
Migration, Money, Identity
There are approximately 80,000 people in the U.S. who identify as of Tongan descent, according to the U.S. Census.
Reports indicate that tens of thousands of Tongans are overstayers in the United States, with some sources estimating the number as high as 10,000.
As Kaniva News previously reported, a leaked ICE document listed 151 Tongans among 1.4 million individuals marked for deportation. While some reports focus on those facing removal, others emphasise the broader challenge of a sizable Tongan diaspora, many of whom lack legal status.
In 2023, Tonga received $222 million (USD) in remittances from the U.S.—a lifeline for its economy, as these funds typically make up roughly 44% of the nation’s GDP, according to The Global Economy.
Influence Across Borders
Tongans in the U.S. represent a close-knit community whose influence is deeply reflected in their achievements across various fields, including religion, politics, education, and every sector of society. The renowned band The Jets, for example, is of Tongan descent.
Many notable Tongan Americans have made celebrated contributions in diverse fields, including professional athletes like Tony Finau (golf) and Haloti Ngata (NFL), musicians such as Dinah Jane (singer) and influential figures like Kalani Sitake (BYU head football coach) and Vai Sikahema (former NFL player and television personality). William ‘Iam’ Tongi, the American singer who won Season 21 of American Idol, is of Tongan descent through his father.
Perhaps the most critical link between Tonga and the U.S. is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Not only was the Church established in Tonga by Americans, but its profound influence extends far beyond religion, shaping the nation’s economy, education, politics, and all walks of life.
The Church’s Brigham Young University (BYU) in Hawaiʻi serves as a vital source of knowledge for Tongan members, many of whom return home to contribute to the development of their kingdom.
