US citizenship for people born in American Samoa is one of the issues beijng discussed at at the Governor's 2018 Youth Empowerment Summit in Pago Pago this week.
Photo: 123rf
Two cases being discussed at the forum have ended up in federal court after US nationals born in American Samoa sued the federal government arguing that because they were born in American Samoa they were entitled to citizenship under the 14th Amendment, the Citizenship clause of the US Constitution.
The first case, in which local resident Leneuoti Tuaua was the lead plaintiff, was dismissed by the federal court in Washington D.C. and that decision was later upheld by the federal appeals court in DC.
The second case was filed March this year at the federal court in Salt Lake City, Utah and the plaintiffs in this litigation are making similar arguments as in the Tuaua case.
Youth Summit chairman, Tapaau Dr Daniel Aga said a range of other issues would be discussed at the forum.
He said the theme of the forum is Empowerment Youth Summit on Self-Determination & Hope that its focus is political status and constitutional topics.
