Justice Department Activates Alien Terrorist Removal Court for First Time Ever

The Trump administration has activated the Alien Terrorist Removal Court for the first time since it was established by law in 1996. Congress approved the five-judge court for extraordinary cases when normal proceedings could expose classified material. It allows for the rapid deportation of foreign nationals deemed by the court to be “alien terrorists,” along with their immediate family members. Last week, the Justice Department submitted the first-ever application to the court, which has remained dormant for three decades. Details of the July 15 application are sealed, with a cover sheet marking its contents as classified. U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen, a George W. Bush appointee, subsequently issued an order asking the Trump administration to make a more “thoughtful” application. www.democracynow.org