http://www.examiner.com/article/romeike-family-denied-asylum-face-deportationThe Romeike family lost their appeal case today, May 14, 2013. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Obama Administration’s challenge to their asylum. Mike Farris of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSDLA) and legal counsel for the Romeike family says “We believe the Sixth Circuit is wrong and we will appeal their decision.” Todd Starnes of Fox Radio reported on the decision.
The Romeike family emigrated from Germany to the United States in 2008 and were granted asylum in 2010. They claim that they suffered persecution from the German Government because they homeschool their children. Under the advice of the HSDLA, the Romeike family applied for and were granted asylum. The family moved to Tennessee where the children are homeschooled.
In 2012, the Obama Administration challegened the asylum stating that the Romeike family’s situation did not fall under U.S. guidelines for asylum. The court agreed and arguments were heard from both sides as to why or why not the family should remain in the United States.
You can read more about the Romeike’s struggle in the Examiner articles Glenn Beck donates $50K to homeschool family’s fight for freedom and U.S. Attorney General says homeschooling is not a fundamental right.
The Decision
Today, the Romeike family got their answer. It was a unanimous decision by three judges; the family failed to prove their case. The judges further stated that the Romeike family’s situation does not qualify them for political or religious asylum in the United States. Part of the decision said that the United States has not opened it doors to every victim of unfair treatment.
One thing the judges of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals made clear in their decision was that in the United States, parents have the right to direct the education and upbringing of their children. Thus, they protected the rights of U.S. parents to homeschool while denying the Romeike family the right to do the same thing.
The HSLDA plans to appeal this decision. Whether this appeal will be heard is in the hands of the courts. In the meantime, the Romeike family faces deportation.
Lynda Altman has homeschooled her 4 children over the last 16 years and has 2 children in homeschool. She believes that homeschooling is a parent’s G-d given right. Lynda writes a blog called Homeschooling When Mom has Cancer. Get notices when this page is updated by clicking on the subscribe link, by email, or contact Lynda @fusgeyer on Twitter.
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