Governor Lolo Moliga is reported to have written a letter of apology to a diplomat from Indonesia who was denied entry upon arrival at Pago Pago International Airport two weeks ago.
The official, who was traveling on a diplomatic passport with two other Indonesians, were put back on the Hawaiian Air plane they arrived on that same night.
The reason is because they did not have American Samoa entry permits.
Director of Homeland Security, Samana Semo Veavea, told KHJ News that it was “a misunderstanding” and he didn’t fault immigration agents who made the decision to deny entry to the Indonesian diplomat.
According to information received by KHJ News, queries had been made on behalf of the Indonesian diplomat, said to be from that country’s Consulate Office in Los Angeles, before he traveled here.
Sources say the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security had assured the official he could enter on the strength of his US green card.
An immigration official explained to KHJ News however that this was wrong information.
US green cards are not recognized here as American Samoa controls its own immigration.
The Department of Port Administration is also reported to have had discussions with the Indonesians prior to their trip here, though it’s not clear what Port’s involvment was.
At any rate , when the officials arrived at Pago Pago International Airport, the immigration supervisor on duty seeing that they didn’t have entry permits and no one from the government to vouch for the officials, denied them entry.
Sources present that night said the officials seemed cooperative and accepted that immigration agents were doing their job.
However the governor received an angry letter from the Indonesian diplomat about the way they had been treated at Pago Pago International Airport.
The governor is said to have called meetings with Homeland Security, and the Attorney General’s Office to get to the bottom of who was responsible for denying entry to the Indonesians.
Homeland Security Director Samana told KHJ News it was a breakdown in communication and a misunderstanding.
He said the matter has been resolved and procedures are being put in place to handle visits of this nature in the future.
Governor Lolo Moliga is reported to have written a letter of apology to the Indonesians.
