DETROIT – Last night, Judge Goldsmith ruled federal courts have jurisdiction to delay deportations of Iraqi nationals during a review of removal orders. 

“A huge sigh of relief was heard throughout the Iraqi-American community last night,” said Michael J. Steinberg, legal director of the ACLU of Michigan. “As the judge recognized, immediate deportation is the equivalent of a death sentence for some Iraqi nationals. The judge’s ruling will provide more time for Iraqi nationals to prove to immigration court judges that they would be persecuted, tortured or killed if sent to Iraq.”

Currently, Judge Goldsmith has entered an order preventing deportation before July 24. The ACLU, with its coalition partners, plan to file a motion for a preliminary injunction soon, which, if granted, would further extend the time that Iraqi nationals have to seek relief in immigration court.

Read the full order.