SAN DIEGO COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Special American

Most of us take citizenship for granted. But for the growing number of immigrants in San Diego County--a modern Ellis Island--it means learning a new language, history, culture and constitution and, then, passing a test on them.

However, few have had to try as hard as Michael Wu, the mentally retarded man whose six unsuccessful attempts at the citizenship test were described in a recent Times story. The 25-year-old Taiwanese native, who was born with Down’s syndrome, has a high school diploma from Mission Beach School for special education and he is bilingual. He can name the President and vice president of the United States; he knows there are 50 states and 100 U.S. senators. He knows who discovered America, and that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves.

Unfortunately, too many native-born Americans, with normal intelligence, cannot answer some of those questions, as polls occasionally remind us.

There are even more who would stumble on some of the questions that stump Wu: naming the constitutional amendments or identifying Ronald Reagan’s goal for government when he was President.

Failing the tests hasn’t defeated Michael Wu. He is still studying. But his best shot at citizenship rests with a congressional bill recently introduced by Rep. Bill Lowery (R-San Diego), which deserves support.

Michael Wu of Mira Mesa may never achieve his dream of joining the Navy or flying fighter jets. But he has earned the right to become a citizen.