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Iraqi man with dementia arrested by ICE despite court ruling barring deportation to Iraq

Aug 20, 2026 · Iraq

Iraqi man with dementia arrested by ICE despite court ruling barring deportation to Iraq

An Iraqi man showing early signs of dementia was arrested by ICE agents in his front yard after living in the United States for more than 30 years. A judge had previously ruled he would likely face persecution or torture if deported to Iraq, granting him legal protection from removal to his home country. Despite that ruling, he was taken into custody and held in Arizona ICE detention facilities. He was among a group of immigrants who remained detained even after winning protection from deportation to their home countries, according to an analysis of habeas corpus petitions.

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