27 Members of Congress Petition Eric Holder to Grant Asylum to Homeschooling German Family

The Romeike family. (Photo source: AP)

Twenty-seven members of Congress have lent their support to the Romeike family, signing a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to grant the family asylum in the United States.

The family fled Germany in 2010 after the country threatened to take their children because they decided to homeschool.  They were originally granted asylum, but U.S. authorities overruled the decision in 2012 and roughly two weeks ago, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with U.S. officials to deny the Romeike family asylum.

Congressman Marlin Stutzman’s (R-IN) letter to Eric Holder, signed by 26 fellow lawmakers, begins:

(Photo via the HSLDA)

The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has been representing the family, and plans to file an appeal before the entire 15-member Sixth Circuit in the hopes the family will be allowed to remain in the United States.

Chairman Michael Farris commented, according to a press release: “It’s refreshing to see that there are members of Congress who are willing to put their support behind this family during this trying time...The Romeikes are doing the exact same thing the Pilgrims did hundreds of years ago, and they need to see there are still people in our government who care for this essential American ideal.”

Congressman Stutzman's letter was also signed by: Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Luke Messer (R-Ind.), Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.), Stevan Pearce (R-N.M.), Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), Steve Scalise (R-La.), Steve Southerland (R-Fla.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), Steve Stockman (R-Texas), Lee Terry (R-Neb.), Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), and Daniel Webster (R-Fla.).

"The Romeikes fled to our country, seeking relief from high fines, removal of their children by armed police officers, and threats of prison and termination of their parental rights.  If forced to return to Germany, they will certainly face renewed persecution," the congressional letter concludes.  "As Americans, we have an obligation to stand with those who seek freedom.  The Romeike family should find a welcoming home in the United States."

Congressional Letter to Holder on the Romeike Family

Click here to read the press release by Congressman Stutzman.

--

Related:

• German Homeschooling Family’s Request for Asylum Denied by the U.S. Government
• ‘There Is Nothing More Un-American Than This’: Beck’s Interview with the Lawyer Representing Homeschooling Family’s Fight to Stay in the U.S.
• Obama Admin. Trying to Deport German Evangelical Family Seeking Asylum Over Homeschooling