A case involving Iraqi nationals who are fighting deportation will be heard by a federal judge in Detroit.
The Associated Press reports an opinion issued Tuesday night says both sides are right in part, but under the law, the federal district courts are generally the "first responders" when rights guaranteed by the Constitution require protection.
Lawyers for the government and those facing deportation will be back in federal court on Thursday to discuss a preliminary injunction that would keep the government from deporting those taken into custody last month.
Many of the Iraqis, including 114 rounded up in the Detroit area last month who are mostly Christians, fear attacks over their religion if returned to Iraq.
The government says they face deportation because they committed crimes in the US.