Judge approves settlement in lawsuit over Iraqi nationals’ detention
A judge has approved a settlement in a 2017 lawsuit challenging the detention of Iraqi nationals targeted for deportation during the Trump administration.
The settlement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE imposes strict conditions on future detentions and removals, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
ACLU attorney Miriam Aukerman said the agreement will help immigrants build a life in America.
The lawsuit involved about 1,400 individuals.
In 2017, ICE detained many based on old deportation orders after Iraq’s stance shifted, leading to prolonged detentions and protests.
The ACLU argued that their returning to Iraq posed safety risks.
US District Judge Mark Goldsmith’s decisions, though reversed in 2018, allowed some individuals to gain release or pursue asylum.
Roughly 50 detainees chose to return to Iraq, while most remain in the US, with removals now being rare.