The American Samoa Congresswoman, Aumua Amata Radewagen, says she expects a deal to be made to stop the US government shutdown but says President Donald Trump is right in insisting on funding for a new border wall.
US Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen. Photo: radewagen.house.gov
The partial federal shutdown is the longest in US history and has impacted key departments that administer services for US Pacific territories.
Agency workers have been ordered not to use government phones and laptops, are not responding to emails, and travel plans have been cancelled including for gubernatorial inaugurations in Guam and the Northern Marianas.
Aumua, who is a republican, said despite the difficulties, she stands with Mr Trump.
"In American Samoa, we control our own borders and our own immigration and so as an island we are blessed to have nice, clear borders. Our territory, our people prefer to control their own immigration, so why should the United States be any different from us?"