Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Only five of seven individuals nominated by Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula to the Immigration Board appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday for their confirmation hearing. The hearing drew considerable attention, reflecting the Senate’s growing concern over immigration trends and the board’s role in regulating the flow of foreign workers into American Samoa.

The nominees who appeared before the committee were Tuiteleleapaga Filoialii Ioane Laumatia, Faalaga Su’e, Sina Ameperosa Samuelu, Taufete’e Tanielu Taufete’e, and Tago Tafaevalu Aumoeualogo. Committee members were informed at the outset that one nominee, Satele Aliitai Lili’o, a member of the previous board, had declined the appointment, and his name had been withdrawn, while the seventh nominee, Anthony A'etonu, was reported to be off-island.

Committee Chairman Leatualevao Asifoa opened the hearing by addressing what he described as an “overwhelming” increase in the number of foreigners entering the Territory, particularly from Asian countries. He pressed the nominees on whether they recognized the scale of the influx and what measures they believed the Immigration Board should consider to bring the situation under control.

Tuiteleleapaga, speaking first, acknowledged the senator’s concerns and emphasized the need to review existing immigration laws. He said the board must examine what tools are already available and determine how best to use them to manage the rising number of foreign nationals arriving in the Territory.

The questioning then shifted to the nominees’ personal involvement in immigration sponsorships. Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono asked each nominee whether they were currently sponsoring any foreign individuals.

Tuiteleleapaga explained that he is sponsoring a relative from Samoa but no Asian nationals. He noted that when he previously operated a business, he had sponsored Asian employees, but no longer does so. Samuelu said she once sponsored a cousin from Samoa who has since left the Territory, and she is not sponsoring anyone at present. Tago stated that he is not sponsoring anyone. Taufete’e reported that he has been sponsoring two Chinese nationals for close to 30 years, and he considers them members of his family.

Senator Togiola then raised what he described as one of the Senate’s most pressing concerns: the Special Provision that has allowed many foreign workers — particularly those without specialized skills — to enter the Territory. He argued that the provision has displaced local workers from jobs they traditionally held.

The issue was examined in detail during a hearing last month before the Senate Government Operations Committee, chaired by Senator Togiola.

Among those who testified was Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde, who recommended placing a moratorium on the Special Provision Program while the government reassesses its priorities. She further emphasized the need to establish stricter criteria for corporations seeking to sponsor overseas workers, ensuring that only businesses demonstrating clear economic value and meaningful community benefit are granted approval.

"We need to put in a moratorium on the Special Provision Program," AG Tauiliili-Langkilde stated. "And my proposal would be the Governor and his administration's proposal — a 12-month moratorium to give us more time to look at what the government's priorities are.

During Monday’s Judiciary Committee hearing, Senator Togiola revisited the concerns raised in last month’s hearing and asked the nominees directly for their views on imposing a 12‑month moratorium on the Special Provision Program, as recommended by the AG. The senator noted that the attorney general’s proposal was intended to give the government time to reassess its immigration priorities and address the rapid increase in foreign workers entering the Territory.

Taufete’e voiced agreement with the senator’s concerns, saying that the board must take action to curb the flow of outsiders into American Samoa and ensure that local workers are not pushed aside. He assured senators that the board would fully support the proposed moratorium as a necessary step toward addressing this serious social issue.

The discussion also touched on longstanding administrative issues. Senator Magalei Logovii reminded the nominees that previous Immigration Board members had complained about not receiving stipends for their service. He noted that those former members had recommended raising immigration bonds and fees, with a portion of the revenue earmarked to compensate board members. The Senate, he said, has not yet acted on that recommendation.

After nearly an hour of testimony and questioning, the committee concluded the hearing without taking immediate action.

Senate leadership later announced that a confirmation vote for the five nominees would be postponed to a later date, giving lawmakers additional time to consider the testimony and the broader implications for immigration policy in the Territory.