Headlines » U.S. judge halts deportation of more than 1,400 Iraqi nationals

U.S. judge halts deportation of more than 1,400 Iraqi nationals

Immigration officials knowingly released dozens of murderers back into the U.S. in 2013, according to Obama administration statistics detailing all of the criminal convictions of the more than 36,000 immigrants released from custody last year. DETROIT (REUTERS) - A federal judge in Michigan on Monday (July 24) halted the deportation of more than 1,400 Iraqi nationals detained during immigration sweeps across the United States last month, the latest legal victory for the detainees in a closely watched case. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo

U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith granted a preliminary injunction requested by American Civil Liberties Union lawyers, who argued the immigrants would face persecution in Iraq because they are considered ethnic and religious minorities there. On Friday, a federal prosecutor told Goldsmith his injunction was not necessary because many of the detainees were appealing final deportation orders through immigration court. He said many of them faced “a feverish search for legal assistance” after their deportation orders were unexpectedly resurrected by the U.S. government after several years. "In these singular circumstances, a federal district court is armed with jurisdiction to act as a first responder,” Goldsmith wrote, adding that the court can assure “that those who might be subjected to grave harm and possible death are not cast out of this country before having their day in court.”

The American Civil Liberties Union, which had previously obtained a temporary order that blocked the Iraqis’ deportation, said the ruling could save lives. “The court’s action could literally save lives.”

There was no immediate response by the U.S. Justice Department, although lawyers at earlier court hearings signaled that an appeal was likely if Goldsmith granted an injunction, according to The Associated Press. There are 1,444 Iraqi nationals who have final deportation orders against them in the United States, although only about 199 of them were detained in June as part of a nationwide sweep by immigration authorities.
U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, Mark A. Goldsmith, halts for 90 days the mass deportation from the United States of more than 1,400 Iraqi nationals, including Chaldean Christians, to allow the plaintiffs time to appeal their cases. The American Civil Liberties Union petitioned for the injunction stating these people would face persecution in Iraq where they are considered ethnic and religious minorities.