HSLDA Encouraging '5 Days of Prayer' That Supreme Court Will Take Homeschoolers Deportation Case
The Home School Legal Defense Association has asked its supporters for "5 days of prayer" that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of the Romeikes, a German homeschooling family that the Obama administration is attempting to deport.
The Supreme Court will meet on Friday and announce its decision on Feb. 24. On Monday, Feb. 17, HSLDA sent a message to its supporters asking them to pray each day this week, Feb. 17-21.
"We ask now if you will join us, beginning today, for five days of prayer? Let's join together and pray that the court will agree to hear HSLDA's appeal and that God will move in the hearts of the justices in favor of the Romeike family," the message says.
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Homeschooling is illegal in Germany. The Romeikes fled to the U.S. in 2008, with the assistance of the HSLDA, after they were threatened with the possibility of losing custody of the children. They were initially granted asylum by a U.S. district court. That decision, though, was appealed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The U.S. Justice Department sided with ICE in that and subsequent cases.
In those cases, the Justice Department has argued that homeschooling is not a fundamental right and that banning homeschooling makes sense because it teaches tolerance of diverse views.
Last May, a U.S. Appeals Court sided with ICE and the Justice Department, thus leaving the Supreme Court as the last chance for the Romeikes to appeal.
In November, the Supreme Court ordered the Justice Department to respond to HSLDA's petition to hear the case. HSLDA attorney Jim Mason said that indicates that at least one justice believes the court should hear the case.
The Supreme Court decides to hear cases based upon the "rule of four." If four of the nine justices agree, then the case will go before the court.
"I believe we have made a strong and persuasive argument," Mason said. "The fact that the court ordered the Justice Department to respond seems to indicate that at least one justice is interested in the case, but now at least four justices must agree to hear the case."
