Senate President raises concerns over large numbers of Asian immigrants

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate confirmation vote yesterday morning of the governor’s nomination of Faipule Vailoata Amituanai to be a member of the Immigration Board, was the catalyst which brought to the fore the case of the increasing number of Asians in American Samoa.

Before the vote was conducted, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean addressed Senator Satele Aliitai Lili’o, who is a member of the Immigration Board saying that there are too many Asians entering the Territory and he wonders what the Board is doing about it.

At the end of the session, Senator Satele replied to Tuaolo’s comment saying that their Board is aware of the dramatic increase in the number of Asians entering American Samoa, but there is nothing much they can do because of the special provision in the immigration law.

He thanked Senate members for voting to confirm Faipule Vailoata as a member of the Immigration Board saying that he is a welcome addition who would no doubt help to alleviate the problem that they have been struggling with for some time now.

He pointed out that the special provision in the immigration law, which allows local businesses to bring in workers to perform work for which there are no qualified local workers, has opened loopholes, of which local companies are taking advantage.

 “We are very concerned with the way things are at the moment,” Senator Satele revealed. “The problem is because there is no limit to the number of workers they can bring in.

“Most of the businesses that apply to bring in workers from other countries, say the same thing — that local people do not want to work.

 “Now we are starting to notice that these businesses are beginning to bring in people from countries further afield like Indonesia and even Vietnam!

“And not only well established businesses but even new businesses are now doing it,” Satele said.

He stated that their Board is trying to put a limit to the number of workers allowed from other countries. The senator said that they often allow five to ten workers initially.

He stated that if people from these countries are allowed in the Territory it could cause a lot of social problems in the long run.

The Vaifanua senator stated that the Senate should subpoena the Attorney General to explain in detail the immigration law’s special provision and if there is something that can be done to alleviate this problem.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean suggested that the Board should limit the special provision to employees of the canneries as that is the main money earner for the Territory.

Samoa News should point out that this is not a new issue and racism has been linked to the issue.