German Family In Morristown Facing Deportation Gets Stay

A German family that lives in Morristown is getting a reprieve from deportation thanks to Tennessee lawmakers in Washington DC. The Romieke Family came to the United States 15 years ago after being engaged in legal battles in their home country for homeschooling their children. In Germany, homeschooling is illegal except in extreme cases. Back in January of 2010, the family was granted asylum with “indefinite deferred action status”. But, last month, the family was notified that their deferred status had been revoked and they faced deportation. US Representative Diana Harshbarger worked with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and on Friday announced that the family has been given a one year stay of removal. Harshbarger says that gives time for a bill she has proposed to get passed by lawmakers. Her bill would grant the family permanent status. US Senator Marsha Blackburn, who had sent a letter to Homeland Security in late September regarding the Romeike Family, released a statement saying “As millions of illegal aliens cross our southern border, the Biden admin has worked to remove the Romeike family, who came to TN legally after being persecuted for homeschooling”. She continued, saying that she is glad the family has been granted a one year stay by ICE.

Should Diana Harshbarger’s bill not pass, it is not known what would happen to the family. Two of the children were born in the US and are therefore US citizens. Two of the older children are now married both of them married to US Citizens.