Thread by @ImmCivilRights

Thread: Some rare good immigration news came today. Last yr, as part of a deal to get Iraq off the list of countries in Muslim Ban 1.0, ICE began rounding up 100s of Iraqi nationals who had old, unexecuted deportation orders—nearly all of whom came as refugees. #NashvilleKurds /1

Nashville is home to the largest population of Kurds outside of #Kurdistan. At least 12 and as many as 20 #NashvilleKurds were targeted. amp.tennessean.com/amp/379582001 ICE sought to detain these men in far-flung, for-profit prisons and deport them without hearing to torture/death /2

But @ACLUofMichigan @mjschlanger @CivilRightsCH Code Legal, and partners across the country stepped up and filed class-action habeas litigation that successfully halted these deportations, given people time to find lawyers and file for fear-based protection, and seek bonds /3

Here in #Nashville, @AMACtn @drostk @NCD_NashvilleTN and other partners stepped up to defend #NashvilleKurds and others targeted in these raids and demand protection and accountability. @repjimcooper and @NashvilleBarry stepped up to ensure citizens’ rights were protected. /4

We fought hard to get nearly everyone out of jail, and today, we won our second #NashvilleKurd motion to reopen at the BIA. That means a longtime TN resident will have a chance to seek protection under the Convention Against Torture based on current, deadly conditions in Iraq /5

Without federal courts, lawyers, judges, due process, & accountability, it’s more likely than not that many of the 1400 #Hamama class members, including the #NashvilleKurds, would be tortured, missing, or dead today. #RuleofLaw is precious, fragile, & vital. It saves lives //

Thank you, @MiriamAukerman @mjschlanger and your incredible team! Some very happy Kurds in Nashville today.