Something Isn't Right Here

United State Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Ferschke was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  While there, he met and developed a relationship with a Japanese woman named Hotaru.  Sgt. Ferschke was then deployed to Iraq.  In July of 2008, the couple were married by proxy over the phone.  Sadly, one month later, Sgt. Ferschke was killed.

Prior to their marriage, the couple gave birth to a son.  Now, Hotaru and their son face deportation because the State Department refuses to recognize their marriage as legitimate because the couple was not able to consummate their marriage vows as required by US immigration laws.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has told Sheriff Joe Arpaio that he is to no longer to authorized to make arrests of illegal immigrants.  Sheriff Joe, to his credit vows to continue to seek out and arrest criminals that are in this country illegally.

There is something wrong when our state department on the one hand wants to deport the widow and child of one of our fallen soldiers, then on the other wants to strip our law enforcement officials of the power to arrest those who are entering the country illegally.  One would think that the Department of Homeland Security would want our law enforcement officials to enforce our laws and protect our borders.  I kind of thought that was why the department was created.

Fortunately for Hotaru Ferschke and her son, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) has introduced a bill that would recognize the marriage of Hotaru and Michael Ferschke.  The bill has some support on both sides of the aisle.  Members of the House have also introduced legislation to help the widow.  Please write to your Senators and Congressman asking them to support Senator Webb's legislation.

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