American Samoa – Director of Homeland Security, Tualamalesala Mike Sala, has been asked by lawmakers to help draft legislation that will plug loopholes leading to human trafficking in American Samoa.  The US Justice Department highlighted the Daewoosa Samoa case in which almost 200 Vietnamese and Chinese women worked as slaves at a local garment factory.  The Daewoosa Samoa case was one of the worst cases of human trafficking in recent history.

A prostitution racked was also uncovered in 2007 which was an example of illegal activity profiting from relaxed enforcement of immigration laws.  During the confirmation hearing of Mr. Sala, Representative Archie Taotasi Soliai asked him to focus on what can be done.  Mr. Soliai said, “Now as legislators we would depend on you to maybe provide some recommendations or perhaps introduce legislative action to try and prevent all these problems and plug the holes with respect to our immigration issues.”  Mr. Soliai said he believes one of the major contributing factors to human trafficking here relates to immigration issues.  Mr. Sala said he agrees with the observation.

Mr. Taotasi went on to say, “It is in the best interest of our people to collaborate and work together with you.  We depend on you to provide information for legislation to plug the holes in immigration laws which will prevent human trafficking.”  Mr. Taotasi asked Mr. Sala to submit a list of recommendations to draft proper legislation dealing with human trafficking.

Three years ago human trafficking legislation was introduced in the Senate but the bill was defeated when no action was taken.  The measure was to create local laws dealing with human trafficking.

Samoa News – American Samoa Department of Homeland Security officially established by law – 09 January 2009

Samoa News – Fono passes Tuala Mike Sala as the first director of ASDHS – 30 January 2009

Radio New Zealand International – Calls in American Samoa to plug loopholes that has led to human trafficking – 30 January 2009