New Zealand has rejected a proposal by the Cook Islands to introduce its own passport while retaining New Zealand citizenship. The Cook Islands, a self-governing island nation in the Pacific, is home to around 15,000 people.

President-elect Donald Trump plans to launch a mass deportation operation targeting millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally and with temporary protections once he takes office on Jan. 20, a challenging initiative that could split apart families and affect U.S. businesses.

The Cook Islands can only have its own passport if they give up New Zealand citizenship, the office of New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Winston Peters said.