American Samoa's US Congressman, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, is to introduce legislation into Congress calling for a federally authorised referendum in American Samoa on the question of citizenship.
This comes as a federal district court in Washington D.C. considers a lawsuit which questions why American Samoans are not granted US citizenship.
The congressman says the suit could result in U.S. citizenship applying to everyone born in American Samoa, regardless of whether they want to become citizens.
Faleomavaega told local leaders they can no longer afford to do nothing.
He says his legislation will provide for a referendum in American Samoa, where all eligible voters decide whether they want to become U.S. citizens.
