Immigration arrests of dozens Chaldeans prompt protest

DETROIT (AP) — The arrest of dozens of Catholic Chaldeans by U.S. immigration officials has prompted a protest at a detention center in Detroit.

Chaldean Community Foundation President Martin Manna told the Detroit Free Press about 40 people had been arrested, mostly on Sunday.

Chaldeans are among Iraqi Christian denominations emerging in the faith's early days. Their population in Iraq has dwindled as hundreds of thousands flee war and violence.

MLive.com reports roughly 100 people protested Sunday at a Detroit detention center, some expressing concern for the arrestees' safety.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said in a statement that Iraq recently agreed to accept Iraqi nationals subject to removal from the U.S.

ICE says all of those arrested had criminal convictions and were ordered deported by an immigration judge.