29 Jul 2003

American Samoa congressman seeks waiver on US visa interview process for Samoans

11:27 am on 29 July 2003

American Samoa Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin has sought a waiver under a new US State Department policy for Samoan nationals applying for non-immigrant visas to enter the United States.

Under the policy that goes into effect on August 1st the State Department will require all applicants for non-immigrant visas to appear for a personal interview at a consular office.

Faleomavaega has requested the department's support of either an interview exception or in assigning an additional State Department official to Apia for the purpose of interviews, rather than Auckland as currently mandated.

He notes that many American Samoans are married to Samoans and financially and logistically it's absolutely not feasible for spouses or family members of his constituents to travel to New Zealand in order to be granted a visa.