Eleven members of Michigan’s congressional delegation are urging federal immigration officials to hold off on deporting hundreds of Iraqi nationals.
This week, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to reconsider a December ruling that overturned a Detroit judge's decision that blocked the deportation of hundreds of Iraqi immigrants with criminal records.
The ruling opens the door for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to begin deportations next week.
In a letter sent to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, the congressional delegation says among the Iraqis are numerous Chaldean Christians and other religious minorities who would face grave danger if deported to Iraq.
The letter asks the Administration to use its authority and discretion to defer deporting members of this group.