DETROIT – It’s been legal limbo for six months for more than 200 Iraqi Christians who were picked up for deportation because of criminal records and immigration problems.
While the government wants them gone, the American Civil Liberties Union is fighting for them to stay.
Qualified Iraqis who were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Detroit will get individual bond hearings.
Those who have been detained for six months or more will have the opportunity to go before an immigration judge and present evidence that shows they should be released.
A bond hearing can be denied if the government can prove that a detainee is a danger to the community or is a flight risk.
Detainees who have been in custody for 60 days or more will be released if they have not had a bond hearing by Feb. 2.
Clarence Dass, a Southfield attorney, is representing 25 of those detained. He said his clients have been convicted of minor crimes.
“While I’m happy the decision came out today, I want everyone to know this is not going to be an overnight process and we’re going to have to fight for each person individually,” he said.
Dass called the ruling a mixed bag. Family members of the detainees had hoped the judge’s ruling would come before Christmas and that their loved ones would be home with them for the holiday.
See the court document from the decision below.
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