German homeschooling family denied asylum in the United States

A German family, prohibited from homeschooling their children in Germany, lost their bid for asylum when a federal appeals court ruled that they did not make a sufficient case to stay in the United States.  The Romeike family left Germany in 2008 when they became subject to criminal prosecution for homeschooling. They were initially given asylum in 2010 by an immigration judge, but that ruling was vacated by the Board of Immigration Appeals last year. The board’s decision was upheld by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals this week. While the appeals court said that the U. S. Constitution recognizes the right of parents to direct the education of their children, it found that Germany’s treatment of religiously motivated homeschoolers did not amount to “persecution” under U. S. law. A spokesman for the family said they are planning to appeal the decision.