Manu’a Faipule Toeaina Faufano Autele has asked that the Fono’s subpoena power be used to bring in members of the Immigration Board who have failed to appear at previous committee hearings.
Rep. Toeaina’s request came after the Chairman of the House Immigration Committee, Rep. Vui Florence Saulo had to postpone a hearing on an administration amendment to immigration law, because Immigration Board members were a no show.
The Committee had requested that all members of the Immigration Board attend the hearing which was to discuss a reduction of the quorum requirement for Board meetings from 5 to 4.
Toeaina said there’s been a couple of hearings at which all board members were supposed to appear, but not everyone was present. He found this very disconcerting,
According to the Manu’a lawmaker, some people have been waiting for a long time for the Immigration Board to approve their immigration applications but have faced delays because the IB could not get a quorum.
The governor says its been problematic meeting the 5 member quorum and this has affected the work of the board.
Speaker Savali Talavou Ale agreed with Toeaina’s concern and said he was not sure if the Immigration Board members are being faithful and honest in carrying out their responsibilities as board members.
Otherwise if they are facing difficulties preventing them from attending hearings, the Fono leaders would like to know.
Savali said other individuals may be willing to serve on the board if the present board members are unable to remain active.
The hearing with the Immigration Board to discuss the bill to lower the quorum requirement from 5 to 4 has been continued to next Thursday
