With just two weeks left before the end of the amnesty program and with poor response in the last few weeks, the Immigration Office is going out in the field this Saturday to register overstayers for he program.
Chief Immigration Officer Peseta Dennis Lutu says since the extension there’s been poor response maybe just 4 people a week coming in to register.
The deadline to sign up and qualify for the amnesty program which will allow those who are in the territory without legal authorization to legalize their status, is February 6.
This Saturday staff of the Immigration Office will be set up at four locations for amnesty registration from 7:30 am to noon.
The four locations are the DYWA Center in Pago Pago, the Fagatogo CCJS Hall, Nuuuli Methodist Church Hall, and the Nuuuli aumaga fale next to CBT.
The Immigration Chief says from what he’s gathered from taking to people , is that one of the reasons why some are not taking advantage of the program, is that they don’t have the money to pay the fees, or they think they will get caught and returned home.
He said the most important thing is to register and they will give time for them to pay the fees.
The number of overstayers who have registered so far is 850 and 72% have paid the required fees, which include an immigration bond, equivalent to a one way fare to their country of origin, the application, and the ID charge.
Peseta said this is the last extension for the amnesty program and after February 6th, as the governor has stated, they will enforce the law against overstayers.
