WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- A federal judge has ordered the immediate release into the United States of 17 Chinese Muslims who have been held for several years in the U.S. military facility at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba . A guard tower is visible behind razor wire at the military facility at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba . U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina on Tuesday ordered the 17 detainees to appear in his Washington courtroom at 10 a.m. Friday and said he would hold a hearing next week to determine under what conditions they will be settled in the United States . The government late Tuesday afternoon announced it would file papers shortly with an appeals court seeking an emergency stay to stop the judge 's order in its tracks . The detainees are ethnic Uighurs , from a mostly Muslim autonomous region in western China . They have been in government custody for seven years and have been cleared for release for the past four years to any country willing to take them . No countries have volunteered . The judge , visibly impatient , told government lawyers he wants no delays . `` There is a pressing need for them to be released , '' Urbina declared . When a government lawyer requested one week for authorities to determine how immigration authorities would handle a court-ordered arrival of individuals with no status , Urbina summarily rejected the request . He angrily demanded Immigration and Customs officials not even consider arresting the Uighurs upon arrival . `` I have issued an order . I do not want these people interfered with in any way , '' the judge said . Justice Department lawyers told the judge they will immediately appeal the ruling and seek a stay of the order with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia . The Justice Department released a statement late Tuesday afternoon protesting Urbina 's order . `` Today 's ruling presents serious national security and separation of powers concerns and raises unprecedented legal issues , '' said Justice Department chief spokesman Brian Roehrkasse . At the White House , Press Secretary Dana Perino warned the ruling represents a dangerous precedent . `` The district court 's ruling , if allowed to stand , could be used as precedent for other detainees held at Guantanamo Bay , including sworn enemies of the United States suspected of planning the attacks of 9/11 who may also seek release into our country , '' she said . Dozens of colorfully dressed members of the Uighur community from the Washington area beamed as they left the courtroom and began embracing . `` We welcome this . It has been a very long time , '' said Amy Reger of the Uyghur Human Rights Project . The United States determined in 2004 the 17 Uighurs are not enemy combatants , but has kept them at Guantanamo while trying to persuade other countries to resettle them . Officials said they were not returned to China because of credible fears they could be mistreated if returned . The Uighurs fled Afghanistan shortly after the U.S.-led bombing campaign began in 2001 . They were turned over to U.S. military officials by Pakistani authorities . U.S. intelligence officials alleged the Uighur detainees are associated with the East Turkmenistan Islamist Movement , which the administration designated a terrorist organization in 2002 . Lawyers for the Uighurs dispute any terrorist connections . Attorneys for the 17 detainees promised the court that if the judge 's ruling stands , a Lutheran church group in Maryland and other service groups are prepared to provide both short-term and long-term care and support for the freed prisoners . Seventeen Uighur homes have been identified to initially house the detainees . Urbina scheduled an October 16 hearing for immigration officials and other government agencies to discuss conditions for the 17 men .
Group of 17 Chinese Muslims must be released into United States , judge rules . Score: 6 Detainees are ethnic Uighurs , from mostly Muslim region in China . Prisoners have been cleared for release , but no country will take them .