The U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan (Southern Division), has issued a TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER against the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians as well as a Leelanau County Family Court Judge. This order prevents them from removing three children from their Legal Guardians pending the next hearing in three weeks. 
The children have been in their current home for five years, and were under imminent threat of removal. At the next hearing, scheduled for three weeks from now, the court will decide whether to grant or deny the plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction.
The plaintiffs are challenging the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA), Michigan’s state corollary and complement to the federal Indian Child Welfare Act.
The TRO – the first time we know of that a federal court has restrained a tribal government and state court over concerns of ICWA abuse – was issued, September 29, 2015, at 5:05 PM.
Please pray for the best interest of these children – and all children across the nation who are in a similar situation.
Please also pray for continued wisdom and blessings for the attorneys involved in protecting these children.
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