The Romeike Family - A Case for Parental Rights
(Apr 09, 2013)
Hello Everyone,
I want to tell you about a case which is heading to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in two weeks, and to ask for your help.
THE ROMEIKE FAMILY
In 2006 Mr. and Mrs. Romeike began to homeschool their children instead of sending them to their government-run school in Germany. Now, in 2013, having faced thousands of dollars in fines, the placement of their children in public school by armed police, and the possibility of loosing custody of their children, Mr. and Mrs. Romeike and their children have fled their home country and are residing in the state of Tennessee.
The Romeikes followed proper immigration procedures and were granted legal asylum in the United States. They currently live in the Smokey Mountain area where they continue to homeschool in accordance with TN law...
...but this is not the end of the story.
The Department of Homeland Security challenged the Romeikes' asylum, which was subsequently withdrawn. Facing deportation back to Germany, the Romeikes have taken their case to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. A hearing has been set for April 23. (Case No. 12-3641, Uwe Romeike, et al v. Eric Holder, Jr.)
Attorney General Eric Holder is listed as respondent against the Romeike family.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
Mr. and Mrs. Romeike believe it is the right of the parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children. The German government maintains that no such right exists. However, this case is not taking place in Germany, it is taking place the United States court system, under U.S. law.
This case will not be based on German principles of justice, but on American principles of liberty.
The U.S. government is arguing that the Romeikes are not being deprived of any fundamental right, such as could be recognized under the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act. If this argument prevails, it could create a dangerous precedent for families in the United States... one which says that government has a greater right to raise the children of a country than do their own parents.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
The kind of persecution the Romeike family faces from Germany is not a unique situation. In May of 2009, the Tennessee House unanimously approved a letter in which they urged Germany to acknowledge basic parental rights, and to end its oppressive policies against homeschoolers, (HR87).
Four years ago Tennessee's representatives had the courage to speak up for the liberty and freedom of people in another nation. Now, when residents of Tennessee are in danger of being deported back to Germany (where they face exorbitant fines and even the risk of losing their children) should Tennessee not utter a word in their defense?
1.) Call your governor and representatives and bring this case to their attention. The Tennessee legislature should interrupt their daily routine, if necessary, so that this matter can be addressed. At the very least, a recommitment to parental rights in the United States and strong support for the Romeikes' asylum should be expressed.
2.) A petition has been started at www.WhiteHouse.gov. To sign the online petition you only need to register your name and email address, and your voice will be counted. The number of petitioners is encouraging, but the goal of 100,000 signatures has not quite been reached.
https://Petitions.WhiteHouse.gov/petition/immediate-action-requested-romeikes—grant-permanent-legal-status-persecuted-german-homeschool-family/06vqtgCp
Those in our federal government need to understand that any action on their part will not go unnoticed. Perhaps by this, any notion they may have of suppressing justice will be swayed.
CONCLUSION
If parents do not have the right to bring up their children, who does? Members of congress are themselves parents. Should someone else's parents, whether a Democrat or Republican, dictate how another family will raise their own child? The elected official does not posses superior parental qualities, and he is endowed with no human rights except which are common to everyone.
REFERENCES
Report on the Romeike Case - Associated Press
http://bigstory.AP.org/article/german-home-school-parents-appeal-asylum-ruling/
Another German Homeschooler Who Was Taken From Her Family
http://www.WashingtonTimes.com/news/2007/feb/27/20070227-084730-5162r/
2009 Resolution Calling on Germany to Recognize the Rights of Parents
Text of Resolution - http://www.Capitol.TN.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HR0087.pdf
Bill Info -
http://wapp.Capitol.TN.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HR0087&GA=106
Legal Brief for the Romeike Family
http://www.HSLDA.org/hs/international/Germany/RomeikeBrief.pdf
U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act
(Section 208, Asylum; Section 242, Judicial review.)
http://www.USCIS.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=f3829c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD