The Justice Department filed its first-ever case with the Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC) on July 15, invoking a 1996 law that has never before been used to deport a terrorism suspect. This marks the first attempt in the court's nearly 30-year history to utilize a specialized judicial process that relies on sealed classified evidence to remove noncitizens suspected of terrorism.

The Trump administration is pursuing the deportation of an unnamed illegal immigrant suspected of terrorism through this long-dormant court, which has never previously heard a case. If successful, the administration could revive what legal scholars have called a "zombie" court as a powerful new tool for removing suspected terrorists.

A Justice Department spokesperson stated, "This Department of Justice will use every tool available to bring alien terrorists to justice and remove them from the United States, including by use of this court established by Congress in 1996."

District Judge James Boasberg of Washington, D.C., had earlier pointed to the ATRC as an alternative for handling terrorism-related deportation cases while questioning the administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act. "In fact, Congress has an answer for us, doesn't it? Because they created the Alien Terrorist Removal Court," Boasberg said during a March hearing.

Legal expert Hans von Spakovsky commented, "I think this court is a much stronger tool the Justice Department can use, and it's going to make it much tougher for what I consider to be rogue judges to interfere with, and hopefully prevent, the removal of immigrants."

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is considering sending "Illegal Immigrants" to Democratic strongholds to punish them for inaction, despite White House and Homeland Security officials insisting the idea was dead on arrival.

According to White House Border Czar Tom Homan, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will increase its operations in New York City due to its status as a sanctuary city.

Sources