The Arab American Civil Rights League says it is laying the groundwork for a federal class-action lawsuit, arguing that U.S. citizens lost homes and property in Lebanon as a result of U.S. foreign policy, namely through U.S. backing of Israel’s ethnic cleansing campaign in southern Lebanon.
At an April 20, 2026 event in Dearborn, attorneys and community members said they are working to identify possible plaintiffs, gather documentation of property damage, and decide whether to file the case in Detroit or Washington, D.C. Those who could be named as defendants include the United States Department of State and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with the possibility of expanding the case to include weapons manufacturers.
Organizers argue the U.S. has a responsibility to protect its citizens overseas and should not support foreign governments accused of human rights violations, citing the Leahy Law as a potential legal basis. No lawsuit has been filed as of yet, and organizers say building the case will take time as evidence is collected.