Legal Affairs issues a notice of proposed changes to immigration

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through a “Notice of Intended Action” issued Feb. 24, the Department of Legal Affairs announced proposed amendments to immigration rules, with changes to be made to the Entry Permit section, under the American Samoa Administrative Code — the ASG regulation.

Entry Permit current rules state that: Any person or group alien traveling to American Samoa not as tourists but for the purpose of visiting family and friends or for cultural or religious exchanges must provide:

•           approval of the matai or senior member of the family or, if a religious exchange, the head of the church in American Samoa; and approval of the pulenu’u and district governor or designated representative.

The provisions are amended to read: “An” alien traveling to American Samoa must “have a sponsor” and provide “the following to the Immigration Office for at least three business days before entry to American Samoa to obtain a thirty day entry permit”:

•           “An application by local sponsor and” approval of the “senior” matai of the family, “if sponsor lives on communal land” or, if a religious exchange, the head of the church in American Samoa.

Current regulations, also require, proof of valid travel documents and round trip ticket(s) and a valid passport that will not expire during the visit. This provision adds the words, “or onward passage” — after round-trip ticket.

A new full provision proposed states: “A clearance from the American Samoa Medical Center business office and the District Court of American Samoa. A medical clearance and police clearance from country of origin, unless the Attorney General or his designee waives one or more of such clearances if there are adequate measures to protect the health and safety of the residents of American Samoa.”

Another provision of the Entry Permit, provides for a 14-day pass, which is $10 per person per trip; available only to citizens of the Independent State of Samoa.

Proposed changes added to this provision: “...with a registered business in Samoa, who travels to American Samoa for a business purpose. Must have a valid travel document, roundtrip ticket, local sponsor and clearances from the District Court of American Samoa and the American Samoa Medical Center business office.”

According to the “Notice of Intended Action”, a copy of the proposed amendments are available and may be picked up at the Office of the Attorney General, ask for Tuu Farani, at the Third Floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building, Utulei or may be downloaded from the American Samoa Government website (www.americansamoa.gov) or the Department of Legal Affairs (https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/)website.

Interested persons may submit written comments on the proposed amendments to the Office of the Attorney General on or before March 16, 2023.

No explanation is provided in the notice for the reason behind the proposed changes but Samoa News understands that about 4 lawmakers who knew about this action, plan to seek an explanation from the Administration when the Fono reconvenes on Mar. 13.