The Romeike family has spent the last 15 years living in America, seeking asylum after facing persecution in Germany for homeschooling their children. But recently, immigration officials ordered them to self-deport back to Germany by October 11, despite having followed the law. But why is the Biden administration going after this Christian family while keeping our border wide open to illegal immigrants? The father, Uwe Romeike, and his attorney, Kevin Boden of the Home School Legal Defense Association, join Glenn to detail this latest chapter of their story and explain what they plan to do next.
Transcript
Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors
GLENN: We told you a story, maybe it was 2010 or '11. I don't remember when it was. This story has been going on forever.
There is a German family, they were living in Germany. They were homeschooling their kids.
That's illegal in Germany. They pulled their kids out.
Because look at the crap we're now teaching our kids.
You want your kids in that in homeschooling is illegal. They faced fines, adding up over $10,000.
They were threatened with the loss of the custody of their children.
And their children were taken, brought to school. By the police.
All right? That's how bad it got. In 2010, they came to the United States, and asked for asylum. Because of their religious point of view. They were -- they were threatened with all kinds of stuff.
So they granted -- they were granted asylum in the US.
But the government appealed. Two years later, the Sixth Circuit court finally revoked the asylum status. Supreme Court with not hear the case.
At that time, the attorney was told by the Department of Homeland Security. They would grant them indefinite deferred action, and not deport the family.
They went to the ICE office, once a year, as directed. They did everything that they were supposed to do.
They were just getting a document signed based on, so they could get employment authorizations in America.
They have lived within the law the whole time. They came here, the right way. Thee weeks ago, they were told to come back in a month with all of their documents. Because they were going to be deported.
That includes the five children that came with them in 2008. As well as, the two that were born here now, in America.
The oldest children that got married to an American citizen, last year. The first grandchild was born here, two weeks ago.
And they're supposed to leave America.
If they go back, they will face the same persecution, high fines.
It will financially ruin their -- their family.
They'll have jail time. And lose the custody of their kids. And the older kids, that were homeschooled, here in America, it will not be counted in Germany.
So they will not be able to go for higher education, or get good jobs.
Because it won't count.
With the hundreds of thousands, that are coming across our border, every month, illegally. And the left says, it's all about asylum.
And persecution.
This case is. We're going to talk to them in 60 seconds.
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(music)
All right. Uwe Romeike is the dad. He is also with Kevin Boden.
He is a Homeschool Legal Defense Association attorney.
Did I get any of the -- of the story wrong, Uwe?
UWE: No, it was all right. Thank you for having me on. The only thing that was different, was wrong, was the initial day or year when we came was 2008.
GLENN: 2008.
UWE: We have been hear for 15 years now. Yes.
GLENN: Okay. And I remember we talked to you earlier, because your case was pending, I think at the time. And you have lived now here for 15 years.
You have been good, solid citizens. You -- you have jobs. You're not depending on the government. Correct
UWE: Correct. Yes.
GLENN: And what happens if you go back to Germany? What happens to you and your family?
UWE: Yes. Since we were born here in the United States. They would come with us, of course. They are now ten and 12 years old. And six and seventh grade.
And we were homeschooled. 80 percent. That's the earlier situation with custody. Earlier custody.
And fines. And prosecutions. And all these things.
That would be the same as before we left. So there wouldn't be any way to homeschool in Germany.
GLENN: And why are you homeschooling in Germany? What is this really all about?
UWE: Well, you know, we have several reasons. But initially, we started homeschooling, because our two oldest children who at that time, were in school for two or three years, their -- their personality changed. They became with withdrawn. They developed headaches, stomachaches.
Doctor couldn't say there was any physical reason. It was all in terms of bullying, and having a fear to go to school.
And then later on, we found out, that also, what they were taught at school was diametrically against what we as Christians believe.
So there were so many reasons we didn't want them to go there again. And once we started actually homeschooling, they relaxed. They became their old selves again.
And they have children now, and they're all grown up. They have good jobs here.
And so everything turned our world. So we wanted to do the best for our children. We wanted to do that.
GLENN: And so you have two older children, that married Americans.
UWE: Yes.
GLENN: And they have -- they're being deported as well?
UWE: Yes. Because -- citizenship, of the paperwork, hadn't gone through yet.
So it's the process. So they're now all in tutoring.
GLENN: Okay. So let me talk to your attorney, Kevin.
Kevin works for HSLDA. It is a nonprofit organization. Making homeschooling possible, and making sure they're defending the homeschoolers. Kevin, what is -- what is happening here?
KEVIN: Well, Glenn, thanks for having us on. I know you've been supporting the family, for many, many years. Going all the way back to 2014. And we appreciate that.
We don't know what was going on. We do know, they were told to go back in four weeks. And bring their passports, to self-deportation. We also know that ICE, you know, has the ability to execute prosecutorial discretion. And to not deport the family.
And so we know what they've been told to do. And we know what's in the authority to do.
And for some reason, we don't have yet. They have been told to get ready to go.
GLENN: Huh. Paragraph all I can think of is -- I mean, what would happen if they went on vacation?
And, you know, in Texas.
And were staying at a friend's house.
I mean, what would happen?
KEVIN: Well, we don't know. They are under an order of supervision that they had been under for the last 10 years. Which does require they show up to these ICE meetings.
So they've been directed to come back. And they have an obligation per this order of supervision to show up.
And, you know -- as you you know, Uwe and Hannelore have been law-abiding individuals in this country, since the day they set foot on American soil. If you notice like I do, they will do nothing but comply with the law because that's the type of character that this family has.
GLENN: I have to tell you, I am so disgusted by this. This is truly a family that needs asylum. They don't have the First Amendment in Germany. We have it here to protect people. This is what it means to bring in those who are persecuted.
Not the hundreds of thousands of -- of young men, without families, coming across our border, in the middle of the night.
They did it the right way.
And this -- I tell you, Kevin, this bothers me so deeply.
When I first heard this story, a couple of weeks ago.
I think I said this on the air. It was a very dark day for me.
I had a really -- Stu will tell you, you had a really hard time going on.
Because I thought, if this government, with everything that is out of control, has the time to take this family down.
They have such malice, that it -- that it -- they're doing things that we can't even imagine. If they're coming after this family, that's malice.
And it is -- and it is not good for any American.
KEVIN: Well, and, Glenn, it's inconsistent with the Department of Homeland Security's own policies. I mean, there's a guidance memorandum from 2021, Secretary Mayorkas.
And the three priorities are a threat to national security, threat to public safety, and threat to border security.
So, I mean, you tell me, where does the Romeike family fall into these three priorities?
I mean, they are the lowest of the low, in terms of being here in the United States.
So, you know, my thought is, just follow your own priorities. They're good priorities.
But why are we not putting resources in the US government to actually enforce the priorities, that they have identified?
GLENN: So what's the plan?
KEVIN: Well, we have a petition we're circulating. We're hoping to present that to President Joe Biden.
GLENN: We're there!
KEVIN: Well, it's to demonstrate broad support.
Of course, we want to just demonstrate that the country is behind this family.
Representative Harshbarger has filed a private bill in the House of Representatives. Many before the House Judiciary Committee.
We would like members of Congress to support that private bill. They can't cosponsor. They can support it.
Then Jim Jordan in that committee or subcommittee, can request a report from ICE, with this bill, that would effectively be a stay on any removal proceedings. So we're asking the judiciary committee. The House Judiciary Committee, to request that report.
To tell -- ICE is telling them, what's going on? Why are you deporting this family? What's going on? Give us the actual -- give us the reason. And that would provide temporary reprieve to Romeike and family, and then long-term, we would love a private bill in the Senate as well.
And, you know, those are a couple of the angles, that we're looking at right now. Which would allow them to stay and to continue their life hear.
As we pursue some longer term strategies.
GLENN: Okay. So here's. If you're listening now. If you're not listening, then how you are hearing me?
But if you are listening, I want you to go to HSLDA. HSLDA.org/Romeike, which is R-O-M-E-I-K-E. Rome Ike is how you spell that. HSLDA.org/Romeike.
And sign this. I am on the website right now. And I am going to sign my name to it. I never sign petitions. But I will sign a petition for this family.
This is totally outrageous. What else can we do to help this family?
KEVIN: Well, Uwe can speak as well. What he would say also is pray. This is a faith-filled family. And they love the Lord. And as he's told me many, many times, we appeal to the most high. And the most high can take action and supernaturally intervene.
And I know for their hearts, that's something that everyone, regardless of whether they sign, donate, whatever, that's something they can do.
GLENN: Can I invite the -- I'm saying this without any knowing of my schedule at all here. So I apologize to my production staff. But I would like to invite the family especially the kids that were born here and the older kids.
I would like to interview them. And make sure that people see this family. And what you're really all about.
Can we get you guys to come in for that?
UWE: We would love to, yes. Thank you.
GLENN: I am -- I have done more apologizing to foreigners for my country in the last five to eight years, that I thought I would never have to do this. We have done so many immoral things. We have done so many things against God. We have so lost our way, we don't even know who we are anymore.
And my apologies for what our country is doing to you and your family. This is absolutely immoral.
And I thank you for being people that still love our country. Despite what we've done.
UWE: Yes. And we love the American people. And it's really my knowledge, that it is the best.
I think most Americans are good people. And believe in people. Question people. And we are very thankful for all the support, prayer, and people who loved on us, when we first came hear.
So we feel very blessed to be here. Thank you for all your support.
GLENN: You bet. Thank you. We'll be in touch.
Guys, thank you so much.
It's HSLDA.org/Romeike, which is Romeike. R-O-M-E-I-K-E.
I have to tell you, this is one that I will go camp outside of their house and I will surround their house with like-minded, loving Christian people who will just not break arms on our knees. We just go and kneel around their house, in droves, and we lock arms and we just pray for this family.
And if they have to haul -- if they have to haul me to jail so they can get to that family, so be it. I have had enough. I have had enough. And I don't want to be a part of -- of anything that is violent, is trying to overthrow anything.
But there comes a time where we have got to stand or kneel!
Begging and -- and relying on the protection of Divine Providence.