Speech #960148981

Mr. President. today. I am introducing a bill to amend the Immigration and Naturalization Act to permit certain mentally retarded adults to become U.S. citizens. The present statute causes great hardships on families which have immigrated to the United States of America having mentally retarded children as family members. In the space of time required for the heads of these immigrant households. that is. parents and guardians of the mentally retarded. to become citizens of the United States of America. many of the mentally retarded persons become adults chronologically. Having attained the age of 18. these mentally retarded are then required to demonstrate performances expected of a person with normal faculties in order to become U.S. citizens. For example. the law requires that a person who seeks naturalization demonstrate knowledge of and attachment to the Constitution and Government of the United States of America. He must comprehend the effect of the oath of renunciation and allegiance and the nature of the obligation of citizenship. Yet. we know that many mentally retarded adults are not capable of these demonstrations.