DHS Tells German Homeschooling Family “You Can Stay”

The Department of Homeland Security verbally informed Home School Legal Defense

The Romeike Family

Association that the Romeike family is being granted indefinite deferred action status.

The Department told HSLDA that this meant the order of removal would not be acted on and that the Romeikes could stay. Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued a denial of the Romeike family’s petition for certiorari to overturn a lower court’s decision to deny the family asylum in the U. S. sparking an immediate and unprecedented reaction.

HSLDA Chairman Michael Farris was thrilled.

“This is an incredible victory that I can only credit to Almighty God. I also want to thank those who spoke up on this issue—including that long ago White House petition. We believe that the public outcry made a huge impact. What an amazing turnaround—in just 24 hours,” he said.

Uwe Romeike said he is extremely grateful for the support and welcome he has received from America.  “Our entire family is deeply grateful for all the support of our friends and fellow homeschoolers and especially HSLDA. I thank God for his hand of blessing and protection over our family. We thank the American government for allowing us to stay here and to peacefully homeschool our children—it’s all we ever wanted.”

HSLDA Director of International Affairs Mike Donnelly pointed out that the only reason the Romeikes had to come to America was because of Germany’s repressive policy towards homeschoolers.

“Germany’s persecution of homeschooling parents continues and is one reason, I suspect, that DHS was willing to grant the family indefinite status,” Donnelly said. “How could our country send this loving peaceful family back to be crushed by outrageous fines, criminal prosecution, and the loss of their children? Today Germany is holding another family prisoner only because they wanted to leave to go to France to homeschool their children. How could we send the Romeikes back to be treated like that?”

Donnelly continued, “HSLDA is determined to continue working in support of beleaguered homeschooling families in Germany and other countries. The right of parents to decide how their children should be educated is a fundamental human right. The United States got it right in this case, and we call on Germany to change its policy so that parents in Germany can homeschool their children in peace.”