ALIEN TERROR COURT FIRST APPLICATION

A secretive federal court created by Congress nearly 30 years ago to review the removal of alien terrorists has finally sprung to life — and with it, a major new front in the Trump-era deportation fight. According to a newly posted court order, the attorney general filed the first-ever sealed application on July 15, prompting a hearing the next day and a request from the judges for more information, with the court saying it could “benefit from the opportunity for more thoughtful consideration.” The Alien Terrorist Removal Court has never before received an application since its 1996 creation — until now, and DOJ has until July 22 to answer.