Act of Compassion

It literally took an act of Congress, but Jasmin Salehi is finally where she belongs--at home in Sherman Oaks. For the past two years, Salehi has lived an uncertain life. After her husband was murdered in a restaurant robbery, the South Korea native faced deportation because she did not meet rigid immigration rules.

Because Salehi had been married to her husband, Cyrus, for just a year, she lost her status as a legal resident. Federal law requires immigrants to be married to an American citizen for at least two years before they can become permanent residents. The intent is to reduce sham marriages. But in Salehi’s case, the law was not flexible enough to recognize the difference between a scam and a true romance tragically ended.

After stories appeared in The Times, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) introduced special motions--called private bills--in Congress seeking permanent residency status for Salehi. The Senate unanimously passed Salehi’s bill in its last action before adjourning for the Nov. 3 elections. It was one of just 10 signed into law by President Clinton.

The bills were an appropriate response to a unique situation. And they highlight how well American democracy can work when it wants to. Despite the perpetual logjams and the political sniping, Salehi’s bill demonstrates that a government of, by and for the people really means something.