Case Summary
When Uwe and Hannelore Romeike decided in 2006 that God was calling them to homeschool their five children, Germany responded swiftly by leveling fines that would eventually exceed the family’s income, forcibly removing the children from the home to take them to school, and threatening to remove the children from the home permanently.
So the Romeikes fled to America, where HSLDA helped them apply for asylum.
In January 2010, the Romeikes were granted asylum by Judge Lawrence O. Burman.
Two years later, in May 2012, their asylum was overturned by the US Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). After another two years of legal battles to reinstate their asylum, the US government finally granted the Romeikes “indefinite deferred action status” in March 2014.
This meant that the Romeikes could live legally in the US, obtain drivers’ licenses, work, rent, own property, and pay taxes. They have been operating legally under this status for 10 years.
However, in September 2023, they were verbally notified that they had four weeks to secure passports and begin self-deportation. The family had no prior warning, and was offered no explanation, other than that there had been a “change of orders.”
Case Timeline
August 2008 — Romeikes arrive in the US from Germany
January 26, 2010 — Immigration Judge Lawrence O. Burman grants asylum
May 4, 2012 — U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) overturns Burman’s decision
October 29, 2012 — HSLDA appeals the BIA’s decision to the Sixth Circuit Court
April 23, 2013 — Oral arguments heard at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals; three-judge panel denies asylum
May 29, 2013 — HSLDA files a request for rehearing by the entire Sixth Circuit
July 15, 2013 — Six Circuit denies rehearing, HSLDA goes to the Supreme Court
February 12, 2014 — US. Supreme Court set to review Romeike case
March 3, 2014 — U.S. Supreme Court denies rehearing
March 4, 2014 — DHS lets Romeikes stay under order of supervision and indefinite deferred action status
September 6, 2023 — Romeikes told that they had four weeks to secure passports to return to Germany
October 11, 2023 — Deportation delayed for one year
More Questions?
- Why haven't they applied for citizenship since 2014?
- Why is HSLDA involved with this case?
- How does homeschooling qualify a family for asylum?
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