Relative protests deportation of immigrants held in Youngstown p - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio

An effort is underway to keep dozens of Iraqi immigrants being held in Youngstown's privately operated prison from being deported back to Iraq.

A relative of one of the inmates says those being held are Christians, and he fears if they are returned they will be persecuted by ISIS.

Maron Yousif appeared in front of the prison on Wednesday saying many of the immigrants feel they sought refuge in the United States, but are being issued what amounts to a death sentence by being forced to return to their native land.

"The men in there are in fear for their lives a lot of them don't speak Arabic. They don't even know this country that they're going to. This is an alien land. This is their home. This is where they belong and they feel like their home is turning on them" said Maron Yousif of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce.

The dozens of immigrants were arrested over the weekend in Detroit.

They are being housed in the Core Civic Corrections Center, formerly known as the CCA facility.