Lead plaintiff John Fitisemanu, and others born in American Samoa, are petitioning U.S. courts for citizenship under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which confers citizenship at birth to anyone born in the United States. The Associated Press obtained the documents before the case was filed.
Although American Samoa became a U.S. territory in 1900, those born there aren't recognized as citizens, and are instead considered U.S. nationals.
Plaintiffs also say they have faced restrictions when traveling abroad, at times obtaining special permits and paying fees that wouldn't apply to U.