A federal judge has temporarily stopped the deportation of more than 1,400 Iraqis — many of them Christian — under the grounds they could be tortured or killed if deported.

In his decision, United States District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith cited the dangers faced by Christians and other religious minorities who were facing deportation.

"Without a stay in place, deportations will begin immediately, which may mean a death sentence for some deportees," the court wrote. "Petitioners have presented significant evidence — not contested by the Government — that many will face death."



Last month, Goldsmith issued an order halting the deportation of more than 100 Iraqis living in Michigan. The order issued Tuesday puts on hold the deportation of more than 1,400 Iraqis across the country until July 24 at least, the order read.

Many of those with court orders to be returned to Iraq had immigration cases pending but would have been deported while their cases were resolved.



US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began detaining Iraqi immigrants in June, many of whom had longstanding orders of deportation because of criminal convictions or expired visas.



However, Iraq's policy not to issue documents for repatriation kept many of them in the US, according to court documents. Then in March, Iraq agreed to begin issuing the required documents after the county was removed from Trump's executive travel ban order.

But the government's decision to round up and try to deport hundreds of Iraqis has sparked protests across the country, as well as a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union to stay the orders. Many of those named in the lawsuit identify as Christians, Catholics, and Shiite Muslims, and allege they face torture or death if returned to Iraq.

"Religious minorities were particularly vulnerable to these atrocities, with Christians being given the horrific choice to 'pay a protection tax, convert to Islam or be killed,'" Goldsmith wrote in his decision. "Obviously, deportees who are murdered will never have the opportunity to present their arguments that their removal orders are prohibited."