SO...this seems off. I get what the board is doing, however, foreigners come to schools all the time on educational visas etc. how hard could this be to resolve?
The article doesn't really state the exact problem he has and leaves out a lot. They paint the illegal issue, noting they emmigrated in the mid 90's, moved to GA to escape crime in Long Beach, mention the Dream Act which is irrelevant as it's not law, and leave it at that.
They mention he's Samoan born but they don't tell you if he's from American Samoa or Western Samoa originally which is significant. American Samoa is a U.S. "unincorporated territory" as is Puerto Rico. People from there aren't U.S. citizens but they are U.S. Nationals and as such can enter the country legally without visas or green cards being required. Western Samoa, aka, Samoa was a New Zealand protectorate and is a separate country. Visas or green cards would be required if he's from there.
Also keep in mind this situation isn't due to state law, the Georgia Board of Regents adopted this as policy.
I found the article bizarre as it quotes a family spokesperson "who wished to remain unnamed for fear of further hurting the family". If they're here from American Samoa they should be able to prove with some documentation from the local authorities in American Samoa. If he's from the other part of Samoa, I could understand their reluctance to contact the "old country" as it would document they're not U.S. nationals. There are avenues his family could pursue if they chose to.
I also found it curious why they moved all the way across the country to escape Long Beach crime. Was there no where else in California? Arizona? Oregon? 3,000 miles to Hinesville GA?
It's a small town of about 30,000 abutting Ft Stewart. However is does have a "Pacific Islander" community of about 600.
