Proxy wedding means Marine's widow, baby unwelcome

Assoc. Press ^ | 09/17/2009 | KRISTIN M. HALL,

[Responsibility2nd]

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.

[Responsibility2nd]

Here we go. Immigration laws are complicating things for this young widow.

But meanwhile..... Millions of Mexicans are welcome to stay.

[Sherman Logan]

The law is a ass.

Which is the reason the executive branch is given pardoning power. This is exactly the type of situation where an exception should be made.

[JLS]

How hard is it for her Congress person or even Obama to fix this. Heck Obaman needs a good headline, he should solve this immediately.

[Responsibility2nd]

I’m just thinking how easy for her if she had married a Michelle and not a Michael.

A same sex marriage?

Her problems would be solved.

[Bryanw92]

Can’t they just say the baby was born in Honululu? Seems to be good enough for other people.

[muawiyah]

He hates Asians and despises whites ~ this young woman and her baby are up the proverbial creek as far as Obama and his minions are concerned.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Exactly.

Let’s make it difficult for every legitimate situation but let them just rush right in to drop an anchor baby at our expense.

Sheer madness.

[Traveler59]

From the article: The private bill was referred to a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee in July but will likely need a Senate co-sponsor to move forward.

I've seen FReepers move mountains before, maybe this bill doesn't just need a Senate co-sponsor, I think it needs a dozen or so. I've just sent a note to my Senator via his website. This district has a large military presence and I'm sure he'll do the right thing. But I think this needs a big push from a number of Senators, so please write your Senators. I'd hate to think this widow and her child is going to be thrown out of the country their husband/father gave his "Last full measure."

- Traveler

[Neidermeyer]

[NonValueAdded]

Fire for effect:

Alexander, Lamar - (R - TN)
455 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4944

Corker, Bob - (R - TN)
185 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3344

[NonValueAdded]

Ping for assistance, a Marine's family needs our help. He made the ultimate sacrifice and now it is up to us

Jazusamo, how can we get Ollie on the case?

[jazusamo]

The only contact I’ve foung for Ollie North is his War Stories show on FNC.

warstories@foxnews.com

[NonValueAdded]

H.R.3182
Title: For the relief of Hotaru Nakama Ferschke.
Sponsor: Rep Duncan, John J., Jr. [TN-2] (introduced 7/10/2009) Cosponsors (None) Private bill
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

The House sure could fast track Joe Wilson's case. No reason for this bill to languish for months in committee.

"Cosponsors are prohibited under the rules on private bills, but have appeared from time to time." 'tis time.

Let your Reps and Senators know the bill number.

Tonk Memorial Ping - he'd be all over this. RIP, Brian.

[Traveler59]

I'm trying to get some of the Milbloggers in on this and request their reader lend some firepower.

- Traveler

[USNBandit]

I've been reading the INA and I keep running into the requirement for the U.S. citizen parent to have legal custody. That keeps the child from being declared a U.S. citizen.

From the article I understand that the proxy marriage isn't recognized which keeps Mom from becoming an LPR and eventually a citizen through a citizenship act for deceased service members.

It is really a catch 22. If you read the INA there is no question that the child is a U.S. citizen. It is a problem with the law that keeps him from exercising that right. Congress could fix this with the mere stroke of a pen.

[our_retired_explorer]

hey guys any updates on what the status is with this? I have seen many posts from people saying they called but have not heard anything back about what happened