1. Waiver of certain naturalization requirements for American Samoan United States nationals to become United States citizens (a) Findings The Congress finds the following: (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 demonstrated 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 extended over Swains Island and it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Government of American Samoa. (4) Since ratification of the Treaties of Cession, many American Samoans who are United States nationals 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 application, fingerprinting, an interview, an English language and civics examination, and participation