Senators Want Higher Quota for Permanent Residents

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More than 600 foreigners who have lived in American Samoa legally for 20 and more years are on the waiting list to become permanent residents of the territory.

According to present law only 50 of them can be granted permanent residency each year.

The administration is proposing to increase the quota for permanent residents from 50 to 100.

During a hearing on the amendment today, senators said even 100 is too low…they want to increase the annual cap on permanent residents to as high as 600.

Acting Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Ta’ase was the government witness who testified on the bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning.

Senator Nuanualefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua suggested to increase the number of permanent residents approved each year to 200.

Ta’ase said it’s the senators prerogative to set whatever number they wish as they are the lawmakers .

Senator Nua said 100 permanent residents per year is not enough, that so many people are eligible after living here for 20 or more years paying taxes and contributing to the local economy.

Senator Gaea Failautusi proposed raising the quota of permanent residents to 300 per year pointing out that federal funding for American Samoa is based on its population.

It was Ta’ase’s understanding that the Census listed everyone living in American Samoa including overstayers.

The acting attorney general told the Senators that their office is ready to process however many legal foreigners that the Fono wants to grant permanent residency.

Senator Tuaolo Fruean suggested that the Senate approve the amendment as proposed , and then talk about the numbers later.

There was no action on the bill which is still with the Judiciary Committee.

In explaining the privileges of a permanent resident Ta’ase said any one granted this status whether from Samoa, Korea or other country will be eligible to sponsor only their children.

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