Mira Mesa Man Moves Step Closer to U.S. Citizenship

A bill that will allow a 25-year-old Mira Mesa man with Down’s syndrome to become a U.S. citizen was unanimously passed Wednesday by a House Judiciary subcommittee.

The private bill, on behalf of Michael Wu, would allow the Taiwanese native to become a citizen without having to pass the naturalization exam that he has taken unsuccessfully six times since 1985.

Wu, who has Down’s syndrome, a form of mental retardation, has lived in the U.S. with his family since 1980. During that time, he has watched his parents and two older brothers take the exam and become naturalized citizens.

He last took the test in 1988. In July, 1989, former Rep. Jim Bates sponsored a similar bill and the House approved the legislation, but the Senate did not act on it by the end of the 101st Congress.

Rep. Bill Lowery (R-San Diego) has reintroduced the bill and, if everything goes smoothly, the soonest Wu could become a U.S. citizen would be next spring, said Karl Higgins, Lowery’s chief of staff.

The measure, which was passed by the House Judiciary subcommittee on international law, immigration and refugees, must now be approved by the full House Judiciary Committee and placed on a special House calendar for passage. An identical process will take place in the Senate.