An emergency hearing has been scheduled for today in Detroit Federal Court concerning the fate of 114 Iraqi nationals, who may be deported.
Defense attorneys argued the immigrants could face torture and death if returned to Iraq. The government says they committed crimes, and violated the terms of their stay in the U-S.
Last Thursday, Judge Mark Goldsmith ordered a 14 day stay on any deportation of any of the immigrants.
He said at the time that he wanted to determine whether the court had jurisdiction in the case.
Today’s hearing is to determine whether he will consider a request to expand that 14 day stay.
The American Civil Liberties Union has expanded it’s petition to prevent the deportation of Iraqis in Michigan and Northern Ohio into a nationwide class action covering more than 1,400 Iraqis.