By This story has long been followed here on the ROK Drop and though I’m not surprised, incredibly the immigration department has yet to fix her immigration status:
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.
Hotaru Ferschke and the baby, Michael “Mikey” Ferschke III, are staying for now on a temporary visa at the home of her parents-in-law, in the Smoky Mountains town of Maryville. Robin and Michael Ferschke Sr., who are fighting for their daughter-in-law to stay, have emblazoned their son’s picture on everything from a blanket draped on the back of the couch to a waving banner on the fence outside. [Associated Press]
I can tell you from personal experience that the US Citizenship & Immigration Services doesn’t give a damn if you are in the military or not. They will treat you like crap like they do everyone else. It took me five years of nonsense with these people for various reasons mainly due to my continuous military re-locations, to get my wife her permanent residency card. In that whole time I interacted with USCIS only one guy in that entire bureaucracy was really helpful to us and did a lot to finally solve the immigration nonsense. If it wasn’t for that guy who just happened to be a retired Air Force E-8 my wife and I would have been separated due to my PCS back to the US.
So I can definitely understand the frustration that Hotaru is going through with these people. Hopefully the continuous publicity surrounding this case will get these people to do something to help her out.
Further Reading:
11:47 am on September 18th, 2009 1
While the INS is spending time and money deporting the wife of a war casualty, the Hyatt Hotel in Boston just fired all their $15 an hour unionized housekeeping staff and replaced them with a subcontracted labor earning $8 an hour, no benefits. It is impossible to live in Boston on $8 an hour unless one sleeps in the floor of an 8×10 bedroom with five other adults. A round of drinks for everyone at ROK Drop if every single one of the Social Security numbers of the newly hired staff is legitimate.
11:50 am on September 18th, 2009 2
correction: It is impossible to live in Boston on $8 an hour unless one sleeps in the floor of an 8×10 bedroom with five other adults and obtains most of one's daily caloric intake from a local food bank.
12:56 pm on September 18th, 2009 3
The representitives/senators of the state (whoever the politicos are) should pick up on this and get special legislation. Not unheard of, and widely practiced. But it is an issue that is beyond the control of local state officials, and would require special legislation at the Federal level. If someone can distract the politicos from fundraising long enough, she should be made exempt from the law and admitted as a citizen.
1:52 pm on September 18th, 2009 4
Sounds like a little bit of the old racism in there sonagi. It must kill you that capitolism is alive and well in the good ol US of A.
Trade unionists were too worried about getting their perks and forgot that without the Hyatt, they would just be another bunch of Boston thugs. Good by commie lovers.
Ever heard of the law of supply and demand? If they don't like their pay, they can quit and get another job.
Instead of spending all your money on alcohol, why not send it to the workers at the Hyatt. The thing about liberals is they always want to spend other peoples money, never their own.
1:52 pm on September 18th, 2009 5
Meanwhile…
The federal government is doing its best to block state and local officials who try to enforce immigration laws within their jurisdiction.
Hospitals overflow with non-Americans getting taxpayer-funded medical care… including childbirth… which then anchors the entire family into the welfare system.
Schools are infested with students who don't speak English and don't really want to speak English.
The Mexican flag flies all throughout the Southwest by people who have no interest in America other than reconquista to satisfy the vanity and misplaced pride of their failed nation and culture.
Yet this woman, with a small-but-actual connection to America and, more importantly, the support of established Americans with a true interest in their grandchild, are hassled.
No hope, no change.
2:01 pm on September 18th, 2009 6
[DELETED]
2:08 pm on September 18th, 2009 7
Best bet is the politico who has been in the longest and has no threat to being re-elected. He/she will get the job done.
The junior politicos will be most interested in who she voted for and if the lawyer contributed to their election campaign.
2:23 pm on September 18th, 2009 8
Racism? Actually, low wage workers come in all colors and nationalities, including those without legal authorization to work in the US.
2:40 pm on September 18th, 2009 9
I love how democrats and liberals love to play the race card, but then play dumb when confronted with their own words.
"if every single one of the Social Security numbers of the newly hired staff is legitimate"
Yes racism. What were you trying to say here. Are you suggesting that they are US citizens who never got a Social Security card? Or lost it. No you are talking about national origin, and yes that is racism according to the UN.
"the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life."
What the Hyatt is doing is not wrong, but your words and beliefs sonagi are wrong. You are vile racist.
2:44 pm on September 18th, 2009 10
Why did you bring up the Social Security card (or lack of real one)? Hmmm? You brought it up to stir hatred and resent against people based on national origion.
Democrats, are like slippery pigs, you can't ever pin them down, and they stink up a room, and they eat poo, and they prance around claiming the sky is falling.
2:57 pm on September 18th, 2009 11
Lordoff2, you are confusing national origin with legal authorization to work. These are two distinct characteristics, Lordoff2. There are tens of millions of foreign nationals with legal authorization to work in the US.
3:08 pm on September 18th, 2009 12
LOL then why bring up social security card. You were talking about non-Americans. Just admit it or deny it.
3:14 pm on September 18th, 2009 13
"LOL then why bring up social security card. You were talking about non-Americans."
4:15 pm on September 18th, 2009 14
You didn't answer my question, but made an ad hominem attack. Answer the question and quit obfuscating.
Your appeal towards racism may work with Democrats and trade unionists, but I am immune.
4:15 pm on September 18th, 2009 15
I find it quite ironic that although they have a child together, the marriage is considered null because of a law that was written on the antiquated belief that people only get married to procreate (and only have sex to do so, too).
4:27 pm on September 18th, 2009 16
Hotels do shitty things all the time, and it's not always unionized workers who get the short end of the stick.
I know someone who was blamed by management at the hotel restaurant he worked at for an outbreak of food poisoning despite the fact he worked in a kitchen that was on a different floor than the one where the contaminated meals were prepared (he didn't touch meat or fish, he was the pastry chef). The hotel needed a scapegoat and he was the only non-unionized worker in the kitchen.
The next job he was at one of the best restaurants in North America where he served heads of state and Hollywood A-lister (what does that tell about the reputation of hotel restaurants?).
4:44 pm on September 18th, 2009 17
You don't have to make any new laws or exemptions. You don't have to grant her special status citizenship. Her child should have automatic citizenship. And she should be granted preferential Green Card status as the family member of U.S. citizens.
Come on State Department, do the right thing.
5:25 pm on September 18th, 2009 18
So, I guess immigration check points are inherently racist….
6:26 pm on September 18th, 2009 19
"So, I guess immigration check points are inherently racist…."
UsinKorea, I know that you know all the answers, and I am just a new fish. This must be some kind of trick question that will trip me up. You are so wise, like an wise old korean adusshi, drinking his favorite bottle of soju. Your wisdom is tie-kwan-do level 50, and I am only level 1/2.
Your seemingly moronic question is just a trick. To the untrained eye, it looks like you didn’t read anything I wrote and are just asking a stupid question. But I know better, as I know the power that you hold. No sir, I won’t fall for your trick today. No sir.
9:02 pm on September 18th, 2009 20
This seems like a much more worthwhile pursuit for Bill Clinton than ferrying home those two dildo jockey "reporters" from North Korea.
10:15 pm on September 18th, 2009 21
Anyone else find this woman very strange? Why would she insist on going and living in a backwater hill billy setting with a dead husband's family, when she can continue on with her life? Strange woman.
10:42 pm on September 18th, 2009 22
"“LOL then why bring up social security card. You were talking about non-Americans.”
A Social Security card isn't restricted to Americans or even to holders of permanent residency green cards. Anyone lawfully residing in the US, including students and others on temporary non-tourist visas, may obtain one. Foreign nationals intending to work are required to get a Social Security card, just like Americans. Thus, the reference to Social Security numbers was strictly a reference to the workers' legal authorization to work in the US, not to their nationalities. Boston is a diverse place, and it's likely that many of the unionized workers fired were either naturalized US citizens or green card holders.
12:15 am on September 19th, 2009 23
Perhaps she is fleeing something in Japan. Sex trade? Abusive family? Interracial persicution? Let's face it, your run of the mill Japanese middle class girl does not marry an American Soldier. The Hillbilly option may be a positive move for her and the child.
12:59 am on September 19th, 2009 24
Charming.
1:57 am on September 19th, 2009 25
Looking at some of the comments here (especially from Cloying_Odor and Chickenhead), it seems "Free" Republic was down today.
That isn't an attack on the ROKDrop blog itself, mind you.
3:40 am on September 19th, 2009 26
Tom
Correction. My hometown has no backwater. You must have it mixed up with another backwater hill billy setting.
4:09 am on September 19th, 2009 27
JTG,
O.K. I'll bite.
It's awful easy to throw out a little fishing comment… care to attack any of my points?
…or are you just another halfwit trying desperately to stir the pot in hopes of some short-term attention?
4:46 am on September 19th, 2009 28
LOL.
EL ChickenHead is going to rip you a new one.RUN NOW. I predict you will never be back. Go back to the vagina of a democrat. Get warm.
8:02 pm on September 19th, 2009 29
Because
(A) she has to bring up an infant, which prevents her from getting a job.
(B) In Japanese culture, it is common for a new wife to live with her parents-in-law.
(C) These parents-in-law seem keen to take her in, probably because the baby is all that is left of their son.
Without making any assumptions, it seems perfectly natural behaviour.
8:14 pm on September 19th, 2009 30
[DELETED BY ADMIN]
11:03 pm on September 19th, 2009 31
Why was that deleted? I spent a lot of time and effort replying to Sonagi, and it was deleted. I guess that is one way to make sure she win's the arguement, but is that really fair?
11:07 pm on September 19th, 2009 32
I am not sure Tom, but why do all my comments get deleted, and your rude comments stay.
11:31 pm on September 19th, 2009 33
"win’s the arguement"
11:44 pm on September 19th, 2009 34
Yes, win's by cheating. My comeback was pretty kick a$$ and thus deleted. Someone, and I plan on finding out who, is trying to make me look bad.
1:56 am on September 20th, 2009 35
I wonder if GI deleted your comments because they were so riddled with errors in spelling and usage that reading them might cause people's eyes to bleed.
4:13 am on September 20th, 2009 36
Nice one Sonagi. Gave away your hand. If GI Korea deleted my comments I am OK with that, but you seem to know. GI Korea has my deepest respect so I am OK with that. But you already know who did what.
As far as the rest of your comments: LOL.
You are the typical nightmare teacher. One who focuses on "spelling" or other trivial things while dismissing the content? I can only imagine how black or Hispanic students who don't measure up to your racial ides fare.
I can see how "Josa e" or "Montel" who misspell a word in your class and suddenly everything that they say is dismissed. I feel bad for those children, especially minorities that put up with your abuse. Your anti-immigrant racism makes me sick.
I am sure you will get your pals to delete this or run away. I will not forget. I will stand up to your kind Sonagi. Even 1000 of you. I will not back down, like the children that you hurt.
4:31 am on September 20th, 2009 37
LordofE2,
Well, then admit you're comments were worthy of being deleted, because I didn't do it. It had to be GI Korea.
For future reference, I don't leave a [deleted by admin] note when I delete a comment. I just dump it…
I haven't been reading this thread beyond the one comment I made, so I don't have any reference to the deleted quotes at all…
5:32 am on September 20th, 2009 38
I deleted the comment due to a personal attack on Sonagi. Lets please stop the personal attacks and flame wars in the comments section and stick to the topics at hand.
7:07 am on September 20th, 2009 39
I'm the author of the original ROK Drop posts about Hotaru Ferschke. Due to my extensive writing on this injustice, I've come to know Hota and her family and friends via the internet. I'm facebook friends with both Hota and Robin Ferschke.
The only reason I didn't blog on this latest news is because I just spent 3 days in the hospital last week.
Hota visited the United States in late 2007 with her future husband.
The Ferschkes love Hota like a daughter and she is loving in return and appreciative of all that's been done for her by them.
A documentary about Hota and her struggle is premiering this week in Tennessee.
Congressman John Duncan is trying to get a private bill passed but it has no senate sponsor yet. Why Lamar Alexander and TN's other senator aren't up to speed on this travesty I don't know. As it stands, Hota faces an uphill struggle in order to not to have to return to Japan next January.
I don't know about A and B, but C is very true.
3:34 pm on July 7th, 2010 40
The family should all move to Japan. Its a cleaner and safer place than the US.