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Too bad we can't legislate common sense.  If we could, Hotaru Ferschke would be raising her son in Maryville without fear of being kicked out of America.

Shortly before Michael Ferschke was killed in Iraq, he and Hotaru were married via satellite.  A marriage where the bride and groom aren't physically together is called a proxy marriage.  The U.S. military recognizes proxy marriages for couples separated by war and helps facilitate them.  The U.S. Government does not recognize proxy marriages.

About a month after the wedding, Michael was shot and killed while conducting a house search in Iraq.  Hotaru gave birth to their son last January and moved to Michael's hometown of Maryville to raise the baby near Michael's parents.  The mother and child are in America on temporary visas, but their request for citizenship has been denied.  Immigration experts say the a law nearly 60 years old is the reason for the denial.  That law, which says a proxy marriage must be consummated (Michael and Hotaru did not meet face to face following their wedding,) was created decades ago to keep soldiers from taking part in marriage fraud.  U.S. Rep. John Duncan introduced a bill this summer that will allow Hotaru to stay in the U.S.  However, because of many other debates consuming Congress, there may not be enough time to pass the bill before Hotaru is required to return to Japan in January. 

It's these types of situations that get me steaming.

Isn't there at least one exception to every rule?  Isn't there a point when the right thing to do is glaringly obvious?  Isn't it time that someone from our government welcome Hotaru Ferschke and her son with open arms, tell them "we're sorry for the loss of your brave husband, but welcome to America?"

Come on Congress, find a way to do the right thing.