**GAO-10-638**                      Published: Jun 11, 2010. Publicly Released: Jul 12, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

American Samoa is a U.S. insular area that operates its customs and immigration programs according to its own laws and independent of the United States. As such, U.S. agencies, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, have no roles in operating the customs or immigration programs in American Samoa. U.S. officials have raised questions about how American Samoa operates its customs and immigration programs, and if this introduces any risks to the security of American Samoa or the rest of the United States. GAO was asked to review American Samoa's customs and immigration programs and this report discusses (1) the operations of American Samoa's customs and immigration programs, and (2) the extent to which U.S. and American Samoa agencies have identified potential risks in American Samoa's customs and immigration programs. GAO reviewed available statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures governing American Samoa and U.S. customs and immigration programs. GAO also visited American Samoa and interviewed U.S. and American Samoan officials to obtain insights.

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Stephen L. Caldwell
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## Topics

Homeland Security

Immigration statusCustoms administrationDocumentationExcise taxesFederal agenciesFederal lawFederal regulationsIdentification cardsImmigrationImmigration and naturalization lawInspectionInternal controlsPassengersRisk assessmentTravelPolicies and procedures