In Re for Naturalization of Chin Thloot Har Wong

FEINBERG, District Judge.

This case, like so many arising under the immigration and naturalization laws, raises an issue narrow in scope but vitally important to those affected by it. The question is whether a child adopted by a husband and wife, only one of whom is a citizen, can be naturalized upon the petition of the citizen alone.

On April 29, 1963, Chin Thloot Har Wong, a naturalized United States citizen, filed a petition for the naturalization of her adopted son, Kenneth Wong. Kenneth, who is now eleven, was born in Hong Kong and was brought to the United States almost four years ago, as…