13 Jul 2005

Seven Samoan citizens asked to leave American Samoan village

10:59 am on 13 July 2005

Seven Samoan citizens have been told to leave a village in American Samoa after the village council took it upon themselves to enforce immigration policies by removing so-called overstayers.

The Samoa News quotes village mayor, Va Moananu, as saying four other Samoan citizens were penalised by the village and several others were warned about their immigration status.

The move followed two meetings during which all those who attended brought their passports, immigration identification cards and other travel documents.

This was how the village council knew who the overstayers were.

The village council has written a letter to the Immigration Office informing them about their strict village policy.