IMMIGRANT WATCH : Exceptional American

Michael Wu’s American dream was both modest and ambitious.

The 26-year-old immigrant from Taiwan had been trying to become a citizen since 1985. But because of mental disabilities caused by a condition known as Down’s syndrome, the San Diego resident was unable to pass the naturalization test despite his best efforts in six attempts.

Rep. Bill Lowery, a San Diego Republican, introduced a bill to exempt Wu from the test. Both the House and the Senate approved the measure, and on Tuesday President Bush signed the legislation.

Wu has earned a certificate of completion in the special education program at Mission Beach School and speaks both English and Chinese; but his inability to memorize the names of the 13 American colonies and the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment prevented him from passing the government’s citizenship test.

Under federal law, the naturalization test can be waived for children under 18 whose parents are naturalized citizens; although Wu’s parents are naturalized, he is too old to qualify under the law. So Lowery introduced his “private bill” allowing a single-circumstance exemption for Wu, who works at assembling goods at a San Diego facility of the Assn. for Retarded Citizens.

Wu--whose two brothers also have been naturalized--has lived in the United States for 12 years and has devoted much of that time to achieving his dream of citizenship. Clearly, this young man’s determination justifies the exemption that became a reality Tuesday.