6 Apr 2005

Samoa and American Samoa still at odds over travel permits

10:19 am on 6 April 2005

People in American Samoa have voiced concern at plans to drop travel permits required for Samoans entering the territory.

Government leaders from the two Samoas tabled the idea last week, after tighter controls put in by both countries had annoyed people.

But our correspondent in Pago Pago, Monica Miller, says the option to do away with permits for Samoans, raises issues with American Samoa being a U.S. territory, that's subject to U.S. federal law.

"There's a lot of people in Samoa who want to come and live here, rather than the other way around. And the other thing they point out, is that under existing immigration law, there is no waiver for any nationality. Everybody who comes here that's not a US citizen or national, must obtain a visa before they are allowed to enter. 24"