Judge issues stay halting deportation of 1,444 Iraqis nationwide
DETROIT — To the chagrin of the government, a Detroit federal judge Monday protected 1,444 Iraqi immigrants nationwide from being immediately deported, including some who faced possible eviction from the U.S. as early as Tuesday.
In issuing his emergency order, U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith concluded the Iraqi nationals — most of them Christians — could face persecution if sent back home and deserve more time to seek legal intervention. He said the case presents "extreme circumstances" and gave all Iraqi nationals who face potential deportation an additional two weeks to legally challenge their removals.
"The substantial allegations made here are the detainees face extreme, grave consequences: death, persecution and torture," Goldsmith wrote in his seven-page order. "Such harm far outweighs any government interest the government may have in proceeding with the removals immediately."
Goldsmith issued his written order after hearing arguments Monday from civil rights attorneys who asked him to extend a previous ruling to cover all Iraqi nationals who face the threat of deportation.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/judge-issues-stay-halting-deportation-of-1444-iraqis-nationwide/ar-BBDm8Va?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=edgsp
