واحتجت السلطات، بعد أن أثار هذا القرار موجة انتقاد واسعة، بأن القرار يستند إلى إجراء مماثل اتخذته سلطات الهجرة في الولايات المتحدة.
The decision was taken after a security alert caused the closing of the United States Embassy in Samoa.4 After the measure drew widespread criticism, the authorities argued that the decision was based on a similar act by the United States immigration authorities.