A federal court has again blocked the deportation of Iraqi nationals in the U.S. who could face persecution, torture, and death if returned to Iraq.
Read the decision.
The American Civil Liberties Union previously obtained a temporary order that blocked the removal of the Iraqis — many of whom have been in the U.S. for decades — until they have a meaningful opportunity to seek protection from removal. That order was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. tonight. Today’s ruling grants the ACLU’s request for a preliminary injunction, which extends the prohibition of removal until the court can fully consider the case.
“This ruling continues to block the government from recklessly sending these individuals into harm’s way,” said Judy Rabinovitz, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. “The court’s action could literally save lives.”
The lawsuit, Hamama v. Adducci, was filed against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the U.S. District Court/Eastern Michigan District.
“ICE does not dispute that Iraq is a dangerous place for our clients, yet at every turn it has insisted to deport our community members into danger, tear their families apart, and deny them their day in immigration court. We're heartened that the court has once again recognized our country's commitment to fundamental fairness,” said Miriam Aukerman, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Michigan.
In addition to the ACLU, the nationwide class-action lawsuit was brought by CODE Legal Aid, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, International Refugee Assistance Project and the law firm Miller Canfield.