,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cdhb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #be1 #bjai,mrs4 ,radewagen introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 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 ,samoan ,united ,states nationals to become ,united ,states citizens1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,waiver of certain naturalization requirements for ,american ,samoan ,united ,states nationals to become ,united ,states citizens 7a7 ,findings ,the ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,under the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act1 persons born in the ,united ,states territory of ,american ,samoa are nationals of the ,united ,states1 but not citizens1 at birth4 7#b7 ,the term national of the ,united ,states is defined under the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act to include persons who1 though not citizens of the ,united ,states1 owe permanent allegiance to the ,united ,states4 7#c7 ,a large number of ,american ,samoans who are ,united ,states nationals have joined the ,united ,states ,armed ,forces and fought for the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,however1 in order for ,american ,samoans who are ,united ,states nationals to become ,united ,states citizens1 they must follow the same procedure as aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence4 ,this procedure requires1 among other steps1 an application1 fingerprinting1 an interview1 an ,english language and civics examination1 and participation in an oath ceremony4 ,the procedure may take years to complete4 7#e7 ,given that ,american ,samoa's education system is structured to closely resemble that of public schools in the ,united ,states1 that courses on ,united ,states history1 civics1 and government are thoroughly taught1 that ,english is the language of public school instruction1 and that ,united ,states nationals by definition owe permanent allegiance to the ,united ,states1 it is in the national interest that ,united ,states nationals be allowed to become ,united ,states citizens by more expeditious means4 7b7 ,naturalization of certain residents of ,american ,samoa ,section #cbe of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #adcf7 is amended to read as follows3 #cbe4 ,nationals but not citizens of the ,united ,states2 residence within outlying possessions 7a7 ,eligibility for naturalization ,a person not a citizen who owes permanent allegiance to the ,united ,states1 and who is otherwise qualified1 may-- 7#a7 if the person becomes a resident of any ,state1 be naturalized upon compliance with the applicable requirements of this title1 except that in applications for naturalization filed under the provisions of this section1 residence and physical presence within the ,united ,states within the meaning of this title shall include residence and physical presence within any of the outlying possessions of the ,united ,states2 or 7#b7 if the person has continuously resided in any ,state or outlying possession of the ,united ,states from birth to the date of approval of the application1 be naturalized upon compliance with the applicable requirements of this title other than sections #cab and #ccg7;a7 and paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section #caf7;a74 7b7 ,jurisdiction 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide that applications1 interviews1 filings1 oaths1 ceremonies1 or other proceedings under this title1 to the extent applicable1 are available in an outlying possession of the ,united ,states with respect to-- 7,a7 any applicant for naturalization under subsection 7a77#b72 7,b7 any applicant for naturalization under section #cbh or #cbi who is a resident of an outlying possession of the ,united ,states2 or 7,c7 any child described in section #cbb7;a77#e77;,b7 for whom an application is made under section #cbb4 7#b7 ,limitation ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 including sections #caj7;c7 and #ccf7;b71 no court shall have jurisdiction over any application for naturalization filed by or on behalf of a resident of an outlying possession of the ,united ,states4 7c7 ,construction ,in determining eligibility for naturalization under subsection 7a77#b7-- 7#a7 absence from any ,state or outlying possession of the ,united ,states for a continuous period of more than #ahj days shall break the continuity of such residence1 unless the person establishes to the satisfaction of the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security that the person did not abandon such person's residence during such period2 7#b7 in conducting the investigation and examination of the person under sections #ccb7;a7 and #cce1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security may in the discretion of the ,secretary waive a personal interview of the person2 and 7#c7 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 in the discretion of the ,secretary1 may impose a reduced fee for an application for naturalization under such subsection compared to other applications for naturalization1 taking into account the relative costs of processing an application for naturalization under such subsection4 4 7c7 ,children residing in ,american ,samoa ,section #cbb7;a77#e7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #adcc7;a77#e77 is amended to read as follows3 7#e7 ,the child-- 7,a7 is temporarily present in the ,united ,states pursuant to a lawful admission1 and is maintaining such lawful status2 or 7,b7 is present and resides in an outlying possession of the ,united ,states 4 #b4 ,sense of ,congress regarding political status education in ,american ,samoa ,it is the sense of the ,congress that the ,secretary of the ,interior may provide technical assistance to the ,government of ,american ,samoa under section #fja7;a7 of the ,act entitled ,an ,act to authorize appropriations for certain insular areas of the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes1 approved ,december #bd1 #aihj 7#dh ,u4,s4,c4 #adfi;d7a771 for public education regarding political status options only if the political status options are consistent with the ,constitution of the ,united ,states4