Lack of Funding Holds Up CI Replacement

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Money is what’s holding up a replacement for the American Samoa Certificate of Identity, according to Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale.

The AG says that while the CI is widely accepted for travel from here to Hawaii and the mainland, or to Samoa, it has been known to cause problems for American Samoans using them on travels to NZ and Australia.

Talauega has been working on a replacement document that he says would be more secure than the CI.

He said funding is needed to make the change and lack of money is the hold up.

The AG is considering making the new document good for 12 months and charge more than the $50 cost of the current CI which is valid for six months, and is non renewable.

At a recent House hearing Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Taase was asked if the AG’s Office would support legislation making it mandatory for American Samoans to use passports in lieu of CIs.

The attorney said their office would support such legislation.

AG Talauega says lack of funding is the main reason why the CI replacement…he hasn’t decided what to call it yet…hasn’t been implemented.

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