Homeschooling Nightmare Becomes Temporary Victory: German Homeschoolers’ US Asylum is Revoked after 15 Years

In 2008, I wrote about the plight of German parents Uwe and Hannelore Romeike. In 2006, they received a calling from God to homeschool their 5 children.

In Germany, homeschooling is illegal, and all children must attend government-run schools from the age of six to 15.

So, when the Romeike’s pulled their children out of the government-run school system, the German government levied tremendous fines on the couple—more than their entire yearly income.

The government also threatened to take their children away.

So, in 2008, they packed up their belongings and fled Germany, seeking asylum in the United States.

In 2013, we started a petition for the family, asking the Obama Administration to allow them to stay in the United States.

To our surprise and delight, the Obama Administration granted them “indefinite deferred action status,” allowing them to stay in the country.

We thought it would be over, but…

On September 6^th, the Romeikes’ indefinite deferred action status granting them asylum in the United States was revoked.

There was no warning…

There was no explanation…

For the past 15 years, the Romeikes’ have been living and working in eastern Tennessee.

Two of their children were born here and are American citizens.

Two of their older children are married to Americans, and they have children who are, of course, citizens.

The Romeikes’ came here legally and followed the legal process—They did everything by the book.

They have Children and grandchildren who are Americans.

Now they are told by the Biden administration they must leave their home, their work, and their family behind…

Is this God’s will?

The Romeikes’ don’t think that it is…

“I try to discern, is this from the Lord? Then I will submit,” Hannelore said. “He knows I have followed Jesus, and I have given my life to him. And when he asks us to leave,

I’m ready. But is it the devil? Then I have to resist. I have to stand against it. And this doesn’t seem like it’s from God because he doesn’t rip families apart. And so, I resist. I stand against it, and I break it in Jesus’ name.”

Now, after a nationwide outcry from Christians, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has backed down and the Romeike family a one-year reprieve from deportation, according to an update from the Home School Legal Defense Association.

Here’s what you can do to help the Romeikes’:

1) Call the White House switchboard at 202-456-1111.

Ask that Biden intervene and order the Immigration Department to reinstate the Romeikes’ deferred action status for the rest of their lives.

2) Call the Capital Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Tell your Congressperson and Senator to support Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger’s bill that would create a path to citizenship for the Romeikes’ to get their green card.

Want to read more? Read: Urgent Message: Protect Your Children