UPDATE: ICE defends the deportations. Rebecca Adducci, field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit, said: “The operation in this region was specifically conducted to address the very real public safety threat represented by the criminal aliens arrested. The vast majority of those arrested in the Detroit metropolitan area have very serious felony convictions, multiple felony convictions in many cases. I applaud the efforts of the law enforcement personnel who, day in and day out, put their lives on the line to protect this community.”
Also, an expert on immigration law with more than 20 years experience states that “there are multiple ways that a naturalized citizen can block deportation legally if they have only committed minor crimes. The 114 in Detroit did not commit minor crimes. Previously Iraq would not take them back and therefore the US could not deport them. The negotiation in which Iraq accepted them back involved having Iraq dropped off Trump’s travel ban list of countries. Also, the judge issuing the order to block the deportations does not have jurisdiction in these cases.”
That puts this whole affair in a vastly different light.
———–
This is good news, but these deportation proceedings need to be quashed altogether. Trump was initially determined to ensure that refugees from Muslim persecution were given preferential treatment. Whoever is making this happen is likely trying to punish these Chaldean Christians for opposing the construction of a mega-mosque in Sterling Heights, Michigan. This person should be identified and fired. Trump may not know about this, but he is the President of the United States. It is his responsibility to know, and to ensure that justice is done.
An update on this story. “Judge blocks US attempt to send Iraqi Christians back to face perils of ISIS,” by Andy Walton, Christian Today, June 23, 2017:
A US federal district judge has intervened to block the deportation of over 100 Iraqi Christians who were arrested earlier month in Michigan.
The 114 mostly Chaldean believers were rounded up because they had some kind of criminal record, according to authorities. But their lawyers claim it’s unfair to send them back to Iraq, where the US government has acknowledged a genocide against Christians is taking place.
The American Civil Liberties Union had been fighting the case on behalf of the Christians and now judge Mark Goldsmith has put a temporary halt to their deportation. He ordered a two week delay, after which he will rule again.
Lee Gelernt, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union representing the Iraqis in Michigan, said: ‘The court’s action today was legally correct and may very well have saved numerous people from abuse and possible death.’
‘Many who were picked up are not hardened criminals but for the last decades have been great citizens,’ said the local Chaldean bishop in Detroit, where there is the largest community of Chaldean Christians outside Iraq….
rooare says
According to the article the ACLU is helping these Christians, where is the ACLJ and other Christian legal groups on this?
Alien Republican says
“The 114 mostly Chaldean believers were rounded up because they had some kind of criminal record, according to authorities.” – Islamophobia ?
Shane says
They were probably guilty of blasphemy against Islam because they told the truth about Islamic violence, misogyny, and intolerance. Hate speech laws enforce Islamic blasphemy laws.
Guest says
Finally someone cares
Kiki says
Thank goodness those Christians are okay.
I support a drastic reduction of migrants coming from the Middle East, in light of what Europe is going through, but obviously people who would certainly be killed if they return home–like these Christians–should be given a chance to state their case and if needed, be given admittance…as long as there are no security red-flags like rape or murder.
DFD says
Thank God !!
==========
Ace-of-Clubs says
This is good news, and they must be allowed to stay in the USA for good when the judge makes his final ruling in two weeks. It sounds like they were only rounded up in the first place because they were soft targets, and yet western countries should always favour law-abiding Christian migrants over Muslim ones, especially since these Chaldeans had been in the USA for years in some cases.
Makes me think of a recent case in the UK where a handful of Chinese people who are here on a scholarship to learn the art of violin making are being deported. Funny how the UK authorities allow all sorts of jihadists and Muslim hate-preachers to stay in the country, but a few harmless violin making students from China are at risk of deportation and are now having to fight the authorities. Talk about getting your priorities wrong in the immigration department.
Matthieu Baudin says
The U.S. should follow Austria’s lead and formally recognise that there is a genocide against Christians currently underway in key regions of the middle east, so that protection measures can fall into place in relevant areas including stays on deportation.
Lydia says
These are the ones who should be brought in, not the muslim ones.
Totally!
Sideman says
Deep state, trying to make Trump look bad.
C'est la vie says
If they commit crimes, then they have forfeited their right to stay.
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
“This person should be identified and fired. ” I second your words, Robert!
God must have heard someone’s prayers. Probably my saintly mother’s.
Baucent says
This is a good result. To send them back to Iraq would be a death sentence. If they have committed a crime they should be in an American jail.
nicholas Tesdorf says
At last some good news. Keep the Christians, send the Muslims back home.
Gamaliel says
The allegations of a criminal record is suspicious. It is unlikely that Chaldean Christians would engage in crime.
Gamaliel says
The allegations of a criminal record is suspicious. It is unlikely that Chaldean Christians would engage in crime.
Minutes1234 says
Probably they had a record by Bob Geldof.
Creole Gumbo says
From previous reports these people had “felonies” on their record. Given that fact each case should have been separately reviewed. Being a Christian does not excuse anyone from committing a felony. Our prisons are full of Americans who have committed felonies. Are we going to let them out because they are Christians?
Susan B says
Why not, we allow all muslims with felonies of rape and murder out of prison only because they are muslim. Under islamic law rape is not a crime in fact there is no rape in islam they call it having sex. The consent of the female, never too young of course, is of no importance as she was asking for it especially if she is a kafir. Just look to the UK and all of EU to see how protected muslims rapist are.
Di says
What were their crimes?
Jay Lynch says
Some of these questionable people ran the brutal Chaldean mafia in Detroit many years back. Committed terrible crimes of murder and major drug trafficking.
Some served prison terms as well, but never became U S citizens during all this time. This has a huge
bearing on their deportation status. It’s not as simple as it appears. Hopefully these cases will be
examined on an individual basis . American citizenship is a privledge and should never be taken
for granted by anyone wishing to apply for it or for natural born citizens.
The pending mosque in Sterling Heights has its own set of issues !!!
Troy says
I’m from Michigans upper peninsula and thank God there are no mosques up here yet. I can’t believe the US government is allowing the systematic take over of our cities across this country by a militant cult which Islam surely is. How long will it be before Detroit and cities across this nation begin to look like war torn Syria? Is it too late to stop this? How can we even think of sending Christians back to the middle east when muslims roam the street’s committing crimes daily ? Whens the last time you heard of a Christian beheading someone for denying Jesus? Or Christians rioting in the streets and assaulting people? Come on people wake up and see the darkness off Islam. Stand up and fight for freedom before we’re to the point of having to instead fight for our lives.
John Fofrbes says
FINALLY some seem to realize that Christianity is being iradicated in the Middle East while the WEST looks thew other way & our leaders keep Parroting ! ISLAM IS A RELIGION OR PEACE QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY VIOLENCE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ISLAM !’
How can all of us INSIST these stupid PHRASES be stopped ?????
Carolyne says
General and on principle, I think the judge was right in his ruling, but before I could made a final judgement, I would have to know the nature of the crimes of which they were accused, and the disposition of their cases.
Bacondoublecheeseburger says
It’s sad that it takes the actions of immigrant Cristian’s risking their citizenship and lives to stand up to the building of a mega mosque. Something natural born citizens should be doing.
flintoid says
Canada would take them, yes ?
Personally, I support true christians, but how can we KNOW who they are?