Eighty-four visitors from Samoa have entered the territory on the 7-day permit waiver since the permit went into effect October 19. All, but four of them, left the territory on time.
The information was revealed by Attorney General Fainuulelei Alailima Utu when he testified on the $3.1 million supplemental appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024 in the House yesterday.
There’s $400,000 in the money bill for the Immigration Office.
According to the AG, the funding is to hire 8 new immigration agents, purchase vehicles, desks and computers, and conduct training for the office. $80,000 of the money is for contractual services.
The salary being offered for the new hires is $20,000.
The AG was asked if any of the requested funding was connected to the 7-day permit waiver for citizens of Samoa. He replied no.
Alailima-Utu said there’s still a problem with overstayers, which is a long standing issue that began way before the Lemanu Talauega administration took office, and this is the reason why several amnesty programs were offered.
The new hires will help boost immigration staff at the seaport and airport, and also their investigations team.
Regarding the permit waiver program, Representatives Manavaalofa Manase, Tapai Alailepule, and Ape Mike Asifoa, expressed their concerns about not requiring medical records and police records for visitors. They felt that this may result in unintended consequences that may spell problems for the territory.
The AG explained that the visa waiver program has been in place since 2017 under the Lolo administration where 45 countries are allowed into the territory without permits. He did not mention that Samoa was not one of those countries until the 7-day permit waiver program went into effect, last month.
Concerning the four visitors who have not returned, Alalilima-Utu said Immigration is working with the hosts to ensure that they do leave, and pointed out there are penalties for the host and the visitor.
Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu accused the AG of masterminding the 7-day permit waiver, and doing what he wants and disregarding the lawmaking role of the Fono. He told Alailima-Utu, the government is not just you, it’s the government of Tutuila and Manu’a. He said there have been too many problems or inconsistencies under the AG’s watch.
The AG apologized and explained that the Administrative Procedures Act was followed before the 7-day entry waiver was implemented.
As he was speaking, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale intervened and said the focus of the hearing was the $3.1 million supplemental budget and to leave the discussion on the permit waiver for another time.
He told the AG to take note of the concerns expressed by the lawmakers, which he fully endorses. The speaker said they must look to the future and protect against any unforeseen consequences from the permit waiver. He took note of the four visitors who have not returned home.
The House yesterday passed the $3.1 million supplemental budget in second reading.
