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Deportations Halted, For Now

US District Court Judge Richard Stearns granted an emergency request from lawyers for the detained immigrants now being held in Texas detention centers.

They argued that at least one-hundred of the workers may have agreed to waive deportation hearings under duress or with improper translators.

More than 360 workers were rounded up at Michael Bianco Incorporated.

Attorneys for the detainees argue that federal immigration officials tried to hurry the deportation process and separate the workers from their lawyers and families by sending them out-of-state.

ICE spokesman Marc Raimondi says the illegal immigrants arrested in New Bedford have always had access to legal services and their consulates.

The court order also requires the government to turn over all names and locations of immigrants held outside of Massachusetts who voluntarily agreed to deportation.

This program aired on April 7, 2007. The audio for this program is not available.

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