A settlement was approved by a judge on Wednesday in a 2017 lawsuit challenging the detention of Iraqi nationals targeted for deportation during the Trump administration. The agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) establishes strict conditions for future detentions before any proposed removals, as stated by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The ACLU attorney highlighted the plight of immigrants who are often detained without valid reasons, emphasizing the importance of providing them with the opportunity to build a life in America. The settlement aims to facilitate this process for affected individuals.
The lawsuit involved approximately 1,400 individuals, many of whom had been residing in the U.S. for years, holding jobs and raising families. In 2017, ICE began arresting individuals, particularly in southeastern Michigan, based on old deportation orders after a shift in Iraq's position on accepting deportees.
Protests erupted outside the federal courthouse in Detroit as the ACLU argued that returning these individuals to Iraq would put their lives at risk. U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith played a pivotal role in the case, issuing rulings in favor of the detainees. While some decisions were later reversed, Goldsmith's orders provided opportunities for release and access to immigration court.
Several individuals were granted asylum or U.S. citizenship, while approximately 50 detainees opted to return to Iraq due to the distress of prolonged detention. The majority chose to remain in the U.S., with limited removals currently taking place.
The settlement represents a significant step towards ensuring fair treatment and due process for immigrants facing deportation, marking a positive development in the ongoing legal battle over the detention of Iraqi nationals.
