In all likelihood, you or someone close to you is now in this homeschooling demographic. But would you remain in it if the government suddenly began fining you and threatening to take custody of your children because you chose to homeschool?

That’s a question faced by Uwe and Hannelore Romeike in Germany in 2006. The persecution they endured for homeschooling their children grew so strong that they finally sought asylum in the United States, living here peacefully for the past 15 years. Now, the entire family is about to be deported, and this sudden news has the Romeikes wondering what they will experience if forced to return to Germany, as they are still homeschooling their three youngest children.

In the early 2000s, the Romeikes were living normal lives. Mr. Romeike supported his growing family as a music instructor, while his wife took care of their four children, sending the older ones off to school every morning.

But then the couple began noticing a change in Daniel, their eldest son. Once very outgoing, he withdrew, which they soon learned was due to the bullying he was experiencing from his peers at school.

Hearing about homeschooling, the couple decided to try it, pulling their three oldest children, ages 9, 8, and 6, out of public school at the beginning of the 2006–2007 school year. The couple knew that homeschooling was illegal in Germany but had heard fines were minimal and felt they could manage.

Unbeknownst to them, Germany was stepping up its assault on homeschooling.

“Within a few short days, the principal showed up, then it went to the mayor, and then ... they sent the police to take our kids,” Mr. Romeike said. “Germans ... go by the books, and when you are not following the rules, they do everything they can—they send the authority to make you follow.”

Over time, pressure from the authorities began to take a toll on the family. A retired teacher was assigned to their home for five hours every day—they incidentally won him over, and he became a supporter of their cause. The emotional drain was also a factor, and their oldest daughter, Lydia, suffered nightmares for years after being dragged off to school by the authorities.

Fines began coming daily—one for each parent and each child—leaving Mr. Romeike with a heavy heart every time he went to the mailbox.

“They tried to financially crush you, and then, fathers were jailed and custody [of the children] taken,” he said.

Through it all, however, the Romeikes felt the peace of God.