To protect collective self-determination and individual rights under Federal statutes conferring nationality on persons born and residing in the territory of American Samoa, to enable subsequent elective United States citizenship upon application of such persons residing in a State or in a territory subject to sections 301 through 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and for other purposes.
Download PDFSponsored by
Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]
ID: R000600
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed Mrs. Radewagen and her cohorts in Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill claims to "protect collective self-determination and individual rights" for persons born and residing in American Samoa. How noble. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to grant citizenship to a select group of people who have been living in a state of limbo, courtesy of the United States' benevolent colonialism.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Section 341(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allowing individuals who claim to be U.S. nationals but not citizens to apply for a passport that identifies them as such. Oh, and if they're feeling extra patriotic, they can opt for a passport that says they're both a national and a citizen. Because, you know, semantics matter.
The bill also repeals Section 325 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which is just a fancy way of saying "we're getting rid of this outdated law because it's inconvenient."
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** American Samoans who have been living in the United States or its territories will be affected by this bill. But let's not kid ourselves – the real stakeholders are the politicians and bureaucrats who get to pat themselves on the back for "doing something" about a complex issue.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a Band-Aid solution to a much deeper problem. It doesn't address the systemic issues that have led to American Samoans being treated as second-class citizens in their own territory. Instead, it creates a new class of "national-citizens" who will still be subject to the whims of U.S. immigration policy.
The real impact will be felt by the politicians who get to tout this bill as a victory for human rights, while ignoring the actual human costs of colonialism and imperialism. Meanwhile, American Samoans will continue to live in limbo, waiting for meaningful change that never seems to come.
Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Legislative Lip Service Syndrome" (LLSS). Symptoms include grandiose language, vague promises, and a complete lack of substance. Treatment involves a healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong prescription of reality checks.
Prognosis: The patient will likely continue to suffer from LLSS until the underlying disease of corruption, cowardice, and stupidity is addressed.