Home Schooling German Family Fights Deportation

[Harsh_77 718]

A German family that fled to the United States in 2008 to be free to homeschool their children is fighting deportation after a decision granting them asylum was overturned.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/home-schooling-german-family-fights-deportation/story?id=18842383

http://foxnewsinsider.com/2013/04/06/german-family-seeking-asylum-to-continue-homeschooling-kids-in-us-fights-deportation-in-court

Any thoughts?? Is homeschooling good reason to seek asylum?

[duraaraa 203]

Well, here are my thoughts.

Mainly, if they want to be in the U.S., let them. That is my overall policy.

But in this case, they had so many options! If they are German, that makes them EU citizens, which means they could go anywhere in the EU, or even to Iceland, and live there freely. Why on earth did they choose the U.S.? I doubt all countries in the EU require the children to attend school.

[GandD 5,966]

This is a REALLY good post. I'm not a fan of homeschooling but I don't really understand Germany's justification for criminalizing it. I guess I could see both sides on this one. My gut makes me feel like they should be allowed asylum but there is the slippery slope argument of determining if they fall into a social or religious group as illustrated in the first article. For specific examples of the slippery slope, refer to the rest of this site when you see people asking what "extreme hardship" or "asylum" means for their I-129F or IR1/CR1 petition.

[Harsh_77 718]

This is a REALLY good post. I'm not a fan of homeschooling but I don't really understand Germany's justification for criminalizing it. I guess I could see both sides on this one. My gut makes me feel like they should be allowed asylum but there is the slippery slope argument of determining if they fall into a social or religious group as illustrated in the first article. For specific examples of the slippery slope, refer to the rest of this site when you see people asking what "extreme hardship" or "asylum" means for their I-129F or IR1/CR1 petition.

If the asylum is allowed for similar reason would it not open the flood gates?

[decocker 7,198]

nooooooooooo, not the slippery slope again!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Any thoughts?? Is homeschooling good reason to seek asylum?

No, it is not.

[GandD 5,966]

If the asylum is allowed for similar reason would it not open the flood gates?

s

Not necessarily. It prob would for anyone wanting to "escape" to the US in order to home school their kids. Well, assuming it was illegal in their country. Allowing that wouldn't mean that anyone gets to claim asylum for anything.

[Harsh_77 718]

s

Not necessarily. It prob would for anyone wanting to "escape" to the US in order to home school their kids. Well, assuming it was illegal in their country. Allowing that wouldn't mean that anyone gets to claim asylum for anything.

That means anyone can come to US and seek for asylum as xy and z is illegal in their country and they would be prosecuted for that.

[Darnell 8,479]

Canada has different guidelines for asylum - why they not attempt to settle into Canada?

[duraaraa 203]

Still, nobody has responded to the fact that they can choose to live in, basically, whichever EU country they please! Why on earth go to the US when there are many easier choices which very well may allow homeschooling? (I would have to look up the law, but I'm sure somewhere in the EU could easily be found.)

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That means anyone can come to US and seek for asylum as xy and z is illegal in their country and they would be prosecuted for that.

Exactly. The other point is that there are alternatives available within the EU that this family could have made use of. This is no reason to seek asylum.

[Darnell 8,479]

Still, nobody has responded to the fact that they can choose to live in, basically, whichever EU country they please!

I posit the only folk that 'care' about where 'they' choose to live, is that family themownselves.

Since they not post at VJ, it's a bit difficult to poke at them, for the moment.

[GandD 5,966]

That means anyone can come to US and seek for asylum as xy and z is illegal in their country and they would be prosecuted for that.

Depends on if they can tie it to persecution of their religion. Hence, a big reason our country exists. But, you're probably right. I guess it would depend on the wording and therefore scope of the ruling.

[duraaraa 203]

I posit the only folk that 'care' about where 'they' choose to live, is that family themownselves.

Since they not post at VJ, it's a bit difficult to poke at them, for the moment.

Well if the only reason they are leaving Germany, which enjoys a quality of life on par with the U.S., is to homeschool their kids, why not choose a place where they don't have to fight an immigration battle?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Depends on if they can tie it to persecution of their religion. Hence, a big reason our country exists. But, you're probably right. I guess it would depend on the wording and therefore scope of the ruling.

It has nothing to do with their religion. Schulpflicht applies to everyone in Germany. There are schools run by churches and other non-public schools that one can enroll ones kids in. It's not a one size fits all model. But every child has to attend school.