Created by Congress in 1996, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, has five federal judges appointed by the Chief Justice, to “to review applications for the removal from the United States of alien terrorists.”
The attorney general submits applications for removal to the court under seal. According to the Federal Judiciary Center, it has never received an application since its founding. Until this week.
According to a court order posted on the newly-created Alien Terrorist Removal Court website, on July 15 the Attorney General submitted the court’s first application. On July 16, the court had a hearing with the government regarding the submission, the contents of the order have not been previously reported. Writing in the order, Judge Ericksen notes that “..the Court could benefit from the opportunity for more thoughtful consideration.”
The court has requested more information on the sealed application. DOJ has until July 22nd to do so.
This is a developing story.