Thanks Justin for your comments. Immigration is surprisingly one of the top things I get asked about. People seem really passionate and concerned about it. To be honest, I consider it something that needs addressed but I have never considered it a higher priority then education or the economy. As Governor, my priorities are not my own. Therefore I will say this, if immigration continues to be at the top of everyone list, then it will become top of my list too. If it does become top priority, I will need to look no further then the laws already on the books to crack down hard. Justine, the laws are there. They are just not readily enforced. Sadly, in American Samoa, it seems that most of the immigration issues can be traced directly to our own Government officials who are very ready to accept money from immigrants to get them in the country. Abuse of power and corruption is rampant.
I am very happy to provide a means for anyone in the world, regardless or race, age or gender, to properly and legally entire our country as long as their intentions are to work hard and to make our country a better place. That is what American was founded on and it is what has made us a powerful force in the world since the beginning. I support those ideologies. Illegal immigration is a problem but is not difficult to deal with. Finger print them and deport them. Send an invoice to the country they came from for the cost of deportation. Maybe that's a start.
I hope I have addressed your comments to your satisfaction. If your in American Samoa, I hope you will join my committee in stepping up the voter registration this year. Its important that people get involved in selecting their leaders. To many citizens are not involved. So our leaders are selected by only a few people.
Regards
Tim Jones |
