The Guam Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights submits this report related to its examination of the overrepresentation of COFA Migrants1 within Guam’s criminal justice system, as part of its responsibility to study and report on civil-rights issues in Guam. The contents of this report are primarily based on testimony the Committee heard during public meetings held via videoconference on August 14, 2024, September 18, 2024, February 7, 2025, April 10, 2025, April 17, 2025, and December 16, 2025. The Committee also includes related testimony submitted in writing within the Committee’s project timeline.
This report begins with a brief background of the issues to be considered by the Committee. It then presents primary findings as they emerged from the testimony, as well as recommendations for addressing areas of civil-rights concerns. This report is intended to focus on civil-rights concerns related to the overrepresentation of COFA Migrants within Guam’s criminal justice system. While additional important topics may have surfaced throughout the Committee’s inquiry, those matters that are outside the scope of this specific civil rights mandate are left for another discussion.