Federal Judge Nancy Edmonds in Detroit has ruled that the government violated the constitutional rights of a Lebanese man arrested after the Sept. 11 attacks by subjecting him to secret detention and deportation hearings.

The Judge opined, "It is well established that aliens subject to deportation are entitled to due process protections afforded by the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.... Courts have found that an open hearing is fundamental to guarantee a fair hearing."

Judge Edmonds gave the Government ten days to either agree to open hearings or release the man.

It is likely the case will go to the Supreme Court since Judge Edmonds opinion (Sixth Circuit) is opposite that of the Third Circuit.

The outcome will impact hundreds of foreign men of Arab and Muslim background who have been detained since the September 11 attacks.