WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has activated a little-used legal mechanism by filing the first-ever petition with the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, a specialized federal court established by Congress in 1996 to consider requests to deport non-U.S. citizens accused of qualifying as "alien terrorists," according to court records and the Justice Department.
The filing marks the first time the court has been used since it was created under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. The Justice Department's application, submitted under seal, seeks the removal of an individual whose identity has not been made public. Court records indicate a hearing was held before Chief Judge Joan Ericksen.
In a written order, Ericksen said the court had questions regarding the government's asserted connection between the respondent's alleged conduct and the statutory provisions cited in the application. She directed the Justice Department to submit additional information by the coming week, saying the government would benefit from "more thoughtful consideration" of its arguments.
Under federal law, the attorney general or deputy attorney general may seek removal through the court using classified information submitted under seal. If an application is approved, the law requires a public removal hearing at which the government must prove that the individual meets the statutory definition of an "alien terrorist."
The filing comes as the Trump administration continues to pursue expanded deportation authorities in immigration enforcement. The identity of the individual named in the petition and the underlying allegations remain undisclosed because the application is sealed. Court proceedings remain ongoing, and no final ruling has been issued.
