Judge Keith found himself ruling against another
administration in the 2002 case, Detroit Free Press v. Ashcroft. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Chief Immigration Judge Michael
Creppy directed that hearings regarding immigration and deportation
cases, deemed to be of interest to the investigation of the September
11, 2001, attacks, be closed to the public. When this case came before
Judge Keith, he affirmed that the directive was unconstitutional and
that deportations should not be shrouded in secrecy, famously
proclaiming that, ``Democracies die behind closed doors.''
It is my pleasure to recognize the Honorable Damon J. Keith for his
incredible half century on the bench and as one of the most influential
jurists in American history. Judge Keith has a heart of gold and a will
of steel, showing great courage in the face of danger and injustice.
Keywords matched
immigration deportations Immigration deportation