In September, more than 20 Alaska State Troopers raided an American Samoan community in Whittier, Alaska to investigate their “immigration status” and allegations of voter fraud. The raid came less than a month after Anchorage police shot and killed 16-year old Easter Leafa, who had recently moved to Alaska from American Samoa. 

American Samoans are the only people born on U.S. soil who the federal government does not automatically recognized as U.S. citizens. People born in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are recognized as U.S. citizens at birth, so if they move to a state they can immediately vote. 

We’d like to hear your thoughts about how American Samoans are being criminally targeted in Alaska simply because of where they were born. 

Right to Democracy is a non-profit that works to advance democracy, equity, and self-determination in U.S. territories. 

Have questions or want to get in touch? Contact us at [email protected]. 

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