Story perspectives

Trump Administration Reactivates Alien Terrorist Removal Court for Secret Deportation

7/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump’s administration activated dormant Alien Terrorist Removal Court to begin deporting an unnamed individual under sealed proceedings.
The Justice Department filed an application on July 15, sealed the target’s name, and cited national-security threats.
Chief Judge Joan Ericksen ordered the Justice Department to supply additional facts by the following Wednesday.
The law defines an “alien terrorist” to include members of terrorist groups and their spouses or children.

History

Historical Context

The Alien Terrorist Removal Court was established by the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, passed after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, and staffed by five Article III judges appointed by the Chief Justice. For three decades the court received no removal applications and held no hearings; only on July 15 2026 did the Attorney General file its first case.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump’s administration activated dormant Alien Terrorist Removal Court to begin deporting an unnamed individual under sealed proceedings.
The Justice Department filed an application on July 15, sealed the target’s name, and cited national-security threats.
Chief Judge Joan Ericksen ordered the Justice Department to supply additional facts by the following Wednesday.
The law defines an “alien terrorist” to include members of terrorist groups and their spouses or children.

1 / 2