Mixed Signals from AG & Immigration Chief on Passports

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There’s mixed signals from the Attorney General’s Office and the Immigration Office regarding the confiscation of passports for non-US nationals and citizens visiting the territory.

On Tuesday night, Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale was on KVZK-TV News saying that unless there’s a valid reason, immigration should not routinely be taking peoples’ passports upon arrival.

He said there is provision in the law for immigration agents to act if they suspect a traveler doesn’t have the required travel documents and authorization to enter the territory.

But they cannot withhold people’s passports without cause.

Yesterday morning a businesswoman from Samoa who travels here regularly for work at their local branch, was caught by surprise when the immigration officer on duty held her passport.

The woman was traveling here on a 14-day permit that was issued by the American Samoa Immigration Office and was caught off guard when her passport was confiscated.

She said that she comes here often and she’s never had her passport taken.

KHJ News contacted the AG for comments and he repeated that unless there’s a valid reason, immigration should not be taking peoples’ passports.

Talauega asked for the woman’s identity and date of arrival and departure so he can look into the case.

The woman’s local counterpart also contacted the AG’s office yesterday but was unsuccessful in reaching the AG.

Meanwhile he talked with Chief Immigration Officer Tamasa Dennis Lutu who said that Immigration is confiscating passports to control overstayers.

It’s not the first time that the CIO has said something different than what the AG has publicly announced..

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