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Immigration status for Filisi: Judge Patea says "put him on the boat"

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reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — There has been no real update on the immigration status for Keneti Filisi, currently in custody on a 'no bail' status at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF).

The matter was on the District Court calendar last Thursday, where it was revealed that although Filisi had said that his transfer of sponsorship had been approved by Immigration — and he was just waiting on his ID — Immigration said no transfer was ever approved.

Filisi's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Anna Whiles told the court that the person who had agreed to assume sponsorship of her client was not familiar with the process and was therefore not aware of the costs involved.

When asked about Filisi's passport, the court was told that Filisi had misplaced it.

Judge Elvis P. Patea said Immigration should have a copy of the passport, and this should be attached to Filisi's paperwork, along with a copy of citizenship. He told the attorneys to get the paperwork together and "put him on the boat".

He also told Immigration to alert the shipping agent.

According to Immigration, Keneti Filisi's ID expired Feb. 27, 2014 and that is why a transfer of sponsorship cannot be approved.

Filisi is charged with public peace disturbance and third degree assault, for allegedly assaulting another man who refused to move his bus in Malaeloa.

Filisi allegedly told police that he "upper cut" the victim, and although he was holding a machete, he didn't use it but he did threaten to beat up the victim "someday."

TANIELU TULI

The District Court granted motions filed by the government, to dismiss two cases against Tanielu Tuli.

Prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Jason Mitchell told the court last Thursday that the government is unable to prove its cases.

Judge Elvis P. Patea granted both motions.

For the more recent of the two cases, Tuli was accused of assaulting a male behind the Fagatogo Marketplace on Flag Day.