MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Hotaru Ferschke just wants to raise her 8-month-old son in his grandparents’ Tennessee home, surrounded by photos and memories of the father he’ll never meet: a Marine who died in combat a month after marrying her from thousands of miles away.
Sgt. Michael Ferschke was killed in Iraq in 2008, leaving his widow and infant son, both Japanese citizens, in immigration limbo: A 1950s legal standard meant to curb marriage fraud means U.S. authorities do not recognize the marriage, even though the military does.
Ferschke and his bride had been together in Japan for more than a year, and she was pregnant when he deployed. They married by signing their names on separate continents and did not have a chance to meet again in person after the wedding, which a 57-year-old immigration law requires for the union to be considered consummated.
“She is being denied because they are saying her marriage is not valid because it was not consummated — despite the fact that they have a child together,” said Brent Renison, an immigration lawyer in Oregon who has advised the family.
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O.K., there are about 12 million illegal aliens in the US and the government is taking little if any interest in kicking them out. Yet this poor woman who bore the child of a U.S. Marine who thereafter gave his life for his country is a target because of a technicality? How did this child come into being, through immaculate conception? Are there no exceptions? Are the rules a guideline or carved in stone. Is this seemingly stupid law antiquidated? Has some bureaucrat been promoted beyond their level of incompetence? Would Sgt. Ferschke change his mind about his country being worth dying for if he had the chance to do so today? This decision is ridiculous beyond the pale and somebody needs to step in and make it right.
I agree and hopefully someone out there will scream “Semper Fi” and then “enough”.
This government response is bullshit beyond belief. A marine wanted her home — he gave his life for his country. What exactly does a marine have to do to get his country to back him in his hour of need?
Zel Miller needs to weigh in on this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UunaMi-NG6s