Public hearings will be called on proposed changes in entry permit fees, permanent resident rules, OK board procedures and other sections of immigration law that the Attorney General’s Office announced recently.
The proposed changes were discussed in detail by Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale and two of his key staff members on Immigration, Assistant Attorney General Earl Mokoma and IT Specialist Ken Dalle at a meeting of the Visit Amerika Samoa Association (VASA) last night. 
The initial meetings of VASA identified a need to have a dialogue with the AG on streamlining entry requirements and procedures for visitors to the territory.
Hotel and airline officials had stories to share about visitors from foreign countries either having to cancel trips or being left behind on planes because they didn’t get permits on time.
For last night’s meeting, VASA members submitted questions before hand for the AG to answer.
The OK board procedures are being streamlined and made easier with the use of technology. The OK board authorization is issued to US nationals who for some reason encounter difficulty boarding the Hawaiian Air flight to Pago Pago, as well as transit visitors from foreign countries and travelers from countries on the US visa waiver program.
The transit visa is for visitors from non visa waiver countries who are catching connecting flights and can be applied on line and is free.
Play AudioOK-board
Funding from the American Samoa Economic Development Administration through the bond sale has funded major upgrades to the AG’s Office computer system.
This will enable identification of people who use fake travel documents or overstay their permits.
It will also enable 24 hour services for OK board approval.
The AG said that public hearings on the proposed amendments to immigration law that were announced recently will be held and a notice will be issued soon.
Copies of the rule change are available from the Attorney General’s Office or can be downloaded at the AG’s Office website legalaffairs.as .gov
