PAGO PAGO (Pacnews) — The Immigration Office in American Samoa will be equipped with a new computer system to track visitors and overstayers courtesy of a $185,000 grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The computer system will allow the immigration office to identify and track visitors, maintain records on the status of migrant workers and alert the American Samoa government to criminals traveling through the territory.
An application prepared by the Attorney General’s Office said that the high number of overstayers coming into American Samoa has created a problem of considerable proportions to the various departments already straining to provide basic services.
It said crime has risen considerably and one of the main causes is the influx of drugs and undesirable immigrants disappearing into the population and causing problems with local residents and school-aged children.
It said many deported criminals return under an alias to gain access into American Samoa.
The report also said that prostitution is steadily rising with many of the prostitutes coming in on short stay permits and taking up their “occupations” at night when the immigration officers are off duty.
