The Federated States of Micronesia, a nation of small islands between Hawaii and Guam, has hired Washington lobbyists to ensure a key agreement with the United States remains in place.

Law and lobby firm Arnold & Porter submitted the contract to the Justice Department on Thursday.

Among the economic and international issues involved is the Compact of Free Association, a treaty between the U.S. and the FSM, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Palau.

COFA allows citizens of those countries to travel and work in the U.S. without special visa approvals. The U.S. has exclusive military control of the region.

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To learn more, read Civil Beat’s series The Micronesians.