Citizen Test Waived for Special Case

Michael Wu can speak two languages, but because he has Down’s syndrome he can’t memorize the names of the 13 American colonies or the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.

It looked like that would keep the 26-year-old immigrant from Taiwan from realizing his dream of becoming an American citizen. But Friday, the U.S. Senate passed a bill by Rep. Bill Lowery (R-San Diego) that exempts Wu from the test.

The bill, already passed by the House, is expected to be signed by President Bush.

“We are so happy and excited,” said Wu’s 63-year-old mother, Caroline.

“As soon as I found out, I went to his school and told him. He just smiled. We are so grateful.”

Wu, who speaks English and Chinese, took the citizenship exam six times from 1985 to 1988. Despite hundreds of hours of preparation, he failed each time.

Down’s syndrome, a condition caused by abnormal chromosomes, causes mental disabilities that make Wu unable to memorize the answers to questions on U.S. history and politics that all adults who want to become citizens must know.

Under U.S. law, the naturalization test can be waived for children under 18 whose parents are naturalized citizens.

Lowery introduced a so-called private bill allowing the under-18 waiver to apply to Wu, who works assembling goods at a San Diego facility of the Assn. for Retarded Citizens.