I 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5026 
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain requirements 
for naturalization for American Samoan United States nationals to be-
come United States citizens, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 14, 2018 
Mrs. RADEWAGEN (for herself and Ms. BORDALLO) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addi-
tion to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive 
certain requirements for naturalization for American Sa-
moan United States nationals to become United States 
citizens, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. WAIVER OF CERTAIN NATURALIZATION RE-
QUIREMENTS 
FOR 
AMERICAN 
SAMOAN 
UNITED STATES NATIONALS TO BECOME 
UNITED STATES CITIZENS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 
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(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 100 years, American 
Samoans who are United States nationals have dem-
onstrated their loyalty and allegiance to the United 
States. On April 17, 1900, the village chiefs of 
Tutuila and Aunu’u ceded their islands to the 
United States. On July 16, 1904, his Majesty King 
Tuimanu’a of the Manu’a Islands and his village 
chiefs did the same. On February 20, 1929, the 
Congress officially ratified the Treaty of Cession of 
Tutuila and Aunu’u and the Treaty of Cession of 
Manu’a. On March 4, 1925, by Joint Resolution of 
the Congress, American sovereignty was officially ex-
tended over Swains Island and it was placed under 
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the jurisdiction of the Government of American 
Samoa. 
(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 and Afghanistan. 
(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 
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