I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2600
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to simplify the requirements 
for United States nationals to become citizens. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 25, 2003
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to simplify 
the requirements for United States nationals to become 
citizens.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
(1) Under the Immigration and Nationality 
Act, persons born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the United 
States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands are citizens of the United 
States at birth. Persons born in the United States
territory of American Samoa are nationals of the 
United States, but not citizens, at birth. 
(2) The term ‘‘national of the United States’’ 
is defined under the Immigration and Nationality 
Act to include persons who, though not citizens of 
the United States, owe permanent allegiance to the 
United States. 
(3) For more than 103 years, American 
Samoans who are United States nationals have al-
ways demonstrated their loyalty and allegiance to 
the United States. On April 17, 1900, the village 
chiefs of Tutuila ceded their islands to the United 
States. On July 16, 1904, the village chiefs of 
Manu’a did the same. On February 20, 1929, the 
United States ratified the Treaty of Cession of 
Tutuila and the Treaty of Cession of Manu’a. 
(4) Since ratification of the Treaties of Cession, 
many American Samoans who are United States na-
tionals have joined the United States Armed Forces 
and fought for the United States during World War 
II, the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf wars, 
and most recently in Iraq. 
(5) However, in order for American Samoans 
who are United States nationals to become United 
States citizens, they must follow the same procedure
as aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 
This procedure requires, among other steps, an ap-
plication, fingerprinting, an interview, an English 
language and civics examination, and participation 
in an oath ceremony. The procedure may take years 
to complete. 
(6) Given that American Samoa’s education 
system is structured to closely resemble that of pub-
lic schools in the United States, that courses on 
United States history, civics, and government are 
thoroughly taught, that English is the language of 
public school instruction, and that United States na-
tionals by definition owe permanent allegiance to the 
United States, it is in the national interest that 
United States nationals be allowed to become United 
States citizens by more expeditious means. 
SEC. 2. NATURALIZATION FOR UNITED STATES NATIONALS. 
(a) ELIGIBILITY FOR UNITED STATES NATIONALS 
TO BECOME UNITED STATES CITIZENS.—Section 325 of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1436) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘ELIGIBILITY FOR NATURALIZATION FOR NATIONALS OF 
THE UNITED STATES
‘‘SEC. 325. A person not a citizen who owes perma-
nent allegiance to the United States may, if the person
becomes a resident of any State, be naturalized (and fur-
nished by the Secretary of Homeland Security with a cer-
tificate of citizenship) upon—
‘‘(1) establishing to the satisfaction of the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security that the person is a na-
tional of the United States; and 
‘‘(2) taking and subscribing before an immigra-
tion officer within the United States to the oath of 
allegiance required by this Act of an applicant for 
naturalization.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act is amended by 
amending the item relating to section 325 to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘Sec. 325. Eligibility for naturalization for nationals of the United States.’’.
Æ