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INS sued for denying citizenship

Parents took action after the service denied citizenship to their daughter with cerebral palsy because she could not understand or take the oath of allegiance, a media report said.

Vijai Shree Rajan, 24, was denied citizenship because she was incapable of understanding and taking the oath of allegiance, an INS spokesman was quoted as saying.

Anybody applying for US citizenship has to swear allegiance to the US and indicate that he or she understands the democratic principles contained in its constitution by raising their hand, nodding their head or repeating the oath when it is read out.

The case has even found an echo in Congress where three senators have sought that Rajan be given citizenship.

The senators have also filed a legislation that would give discretion to California's attorney general to waive the provision of oath in cases like this.

According to CNN, which first reported the story, Rajan cannot walk or talk or get around without a wheelchair. All she can do is to move her head, smile, blink and stick out her tongue.

Vijai, who was born in Madurai with muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy and contracted Crohn's disease later, has been a permanent resident of US since she was four months old.

According to doctors, Vijai has the mental level of an infant, requires round-the-clock medical care, and lives with her parents, Shakunthala and Sunder Rajan, both US citizens.

PTI

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