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 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 and Afghanistan. 
(5) However, in order for American Samoans 
who are United States nationals to become United 
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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. WAIVER OF CERTAIN NATURALIZATION REQUIRE-
MENTS FOR AMERICAN SAMOAN UNITED 
STATES NATIONALS TO BECOME UNITED 
STATES CITIZENS. 
Chapter 2 of title III of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act is amended by inserting after section 326 (8 
U.S.C. 1437) the following new section: 
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‘‘SEC. 326A. AMERICAN SAMOAN UNITED STATES NATION-
ALS EXCEPTED FROM CERTAIN REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For any person who is born in 
American Samoa and resides continuously within Amer-
ican Samoa from the date of such person’s birth up to 
the time of admission to citizenship, the following are 
waived— 
‘‘(1) the requirements for naturalization under 
section 312; 
‘‘(2) all the requirements as to residence and 
physical presence within the United States and a 
particular State for naturalization under section 
316; and 
‘‘(3) section 325. 
‘‘(b) ABSENCE FROM AMERICAN SAMOA.—Absence 
from American Samoa for a continuous period of more 
than 180 days during the period for which continuous resi-
dency is required for admission to citizenship under sub-
section (a) shall break the continuity of such residence, 
unless a person described under subsection (a) shall estab-
lish to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that such 
person did not abandon such person’s residence in Amer-
ican Samoa during such period.’’. 
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SEC. 3. CLERICAL AMENDMENT. 
The table of contents of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 326 the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 326A. American Samoan United States nationals excepted from certain 
requirements.’’. 
Æ 
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