American Wookiee

This coming Monday, in Arlington, Texas, 441 people will become American citizens.

They come from 77 different countries.

And one comes from the planet Kashykk. His name is Chewbacca.

Oh, all right: actually it's Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew:

Mayhew, 60, played the fur-covered warrior Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy of the 1970s and 1980s, and the latest movie, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

"I got married to a Texan lady. That more or less decided it," said Mayhew, who has been married to his wife, Angelique, for six years.

In most cases, an immigrant must be a legal permanent resident for five years before becoming a citizen. The wait is three years if the person marries a U.S. citizen. He also must pass history, English and civics exams.

"I've always been interested in the cowboys and the history of the West and the history of America, so it wasn't so bad," Mayhew said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

"I am feeling very happy about it. Whatever people say about America, it is still one of the most wonderful countries in the world, despite the politics, religion and everything else that goes on."

"I know that I have the best of both worlds with the dual nationality," he said.

Well, if the Texas Minutemen start running into Imperial Stormtroopers, at least we'll know why ...