Exploring the debate surrounding the unique legal status of Am Samoa
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — “Not A U.S. Citizen” is a timely, short film documentary about American Samoa and its unique legal status that will premiere on PBS Digital Studios on January 28, 2025.
The film explores the debate surrounding the unique legal status of people born in American Samoa, the only territory in the United States whose residents are not granted birthright citizenship — a topic very much in the news since the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump.
The film — co-directed by Gabby Alafagamalufilufi Faʻaiʻuaso and John “Niko” Patu — highlights the viewpoints of two native inhabitants of the territory: Salaivai Seiuli Elinor McMoore-Lutu, a traditional chief who wants to maintain the status quo, and Palaita Tusipasi Suiaunoa, a U.S. Marine veteran who believes in the right to citizenship for his people.
Both explore what it means to be a “non-citizen national", a legal status designated only for American Samoans. Along with Tapaʻau Dr. Daniel Aga, former Director of American Samoa’s Office of Political Status, Constitutional Review, and Federal Relations, Salavai and Palaita examine what it means to be “a part” of the United States while simultaneously being “apart” from it.
Reflecting on the unique Indigenous institutions that are afforded to Samoans, such as their Indigenous chiefly system, land ownership rights and traditional culture, they reflect on the territory’s relationship with the United States and whether American Samoans should be automatic citizens at birth. Not A U.S. Citizen is a part of the Homegrown: A Part Of / A Part From series.
Homegrown is co-produced by Firelight Media, Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), Black Public Media (BPM), and Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), in Association with PBS. The series is distributed by PBS Digital Studios.
Not A U.S. Citizen can be viewed on PBS Digital Studios when it is released on January 28, 2025.
To kick off the online premiere, PBS Utah is hosting an in-person premiere at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center (West Valley City, UT) on the same day, January 28, at 6-8pm, where guests will screen the 15-minute film and participate in a live videocast in collaboration with Everyday People Pasifika Chapter. 92.5 The Beat's Big Budah will host a conversation with co-director, Gabby Alafagamalufilufi Fa’ai’uaso. We welcome anyone to join the event.
ABOUT THE FILM
"Soālaupule" is a Samoan belief that when you gather together to discuss and come to an understanding, sharing power and decision-making amongst your people, good always comes of it. It is our hope that this film evokes this belief and will help inform both the people of American Samoa and descendants around the United States and abroad. This project will contribute to and help shape the national educational curriculum about American Samoa and its people, history, culture, and issues that affect them.
“This is a topic not often well discussed in the typical American classroom or in the national public discourse and we were fortunate to shed some light on issues that affect our people. We hope that the many critical discussions and reflections undertaken will help amplify the voices of our people on a national platform. This project sparked engagement with the community about our territory, what it means to be a U.S. national and what the impacts of citizenship would be on our communities,” the co-directors said.
“The film was a culmination of many months of hard work and dedication involving various partners. We received great mentorship and support from Firelight Media, PBS and Pacific Islanders in Communications and many other creatives and partners for their assistance. A big faʻafetai tele lava and thank you to them and our awesome film crew for helping us shape our film to what it is today, we are forever grateful.”
Go to the Samoa News website or Facebook page to link to the film online.