US judge halts deportation of 1,400 Iraqis

WASHINGTON - 25 July 2017: A US judge has halted the deportation of 1,400 Iraqis, Sky News reported Tuesday.

US District judge Mark Goldsmith granted an injunction to give the immigrants more time to individually challenge their removal in the courts.

He said many of the group had faced a "feverish search for legal assistance" after their deportation orders were unexpectedly resurrected in 2016.

Judge Goldsmith said he hoped the additional time would ensure "those who might be subjected to grave harm and possible death are not cast out of this country before having their day in court".

The injunction was requested by the American Civil Liberties Union, which argued the immigrants would face persecution in Iraq as they were considered ethnic and religious minorities.