24 Apr 2014

Immigration amnesty in American Samoa likely for over 3,500 applicants

12:56 pm on 24 April 2014

An immigration amnesty committee in American Samoa is finalising the number of people who are hoping to remain in the territory by legalising their status.

The Amnesty Program Committee says it is going through all the files of those who registered for the scheme as well as those in the queue before the registration began.

It estimates more than 3,500 people will be included in the amnesty programme, half of whom are from Samoa and the remainder being Filipino, Tongan, Chinese and Fijian.

The Governor's Office is drafting legislation to be sent to the Fono to increase the immigration quota on a one-time basis, allowing the applicants to stay in American Samoa.