Judges to Hear Iraq Deportation Appeal

CINCINNATI (AP) -- A federal appeals panel in Cincinnati will hear arguments over a Trump administration effort to deport Iraqi nationals.

A U.S. district judge in Detroit last year blocked the deportations to give the Iraqis time to make their cases to stay. American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Gelernt (guh-LIRNT') says many of them are Christians or other minority groups who fear being persecuted, tortured or killed if returned.

The case grew from arrests of more than 100 Detroit-area Iraqis to include some 1,400 Iraqis nationwide.

Government attorneys have argued that the Detroit federal judge overstepped his authority and that immigration courts should resolve the deportation disputes. Authorities say Iraqis to be deported violated U.S. laws.

Both sides will make legal arguments and answer the three judges' questions in a Wednesday hearing.

(KA)