White House arsenal against threats now includes the previously unused Alien Terrorist Removal Court * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh

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It was set up decades ago. But never used.

Until now.

It’s America’s Alien Terrorist Removal Court, and President Donald Trump’s administration has submitted an application seeking action – the removal of an individual from the United States.

A Newsweek report said a court order posted on the court’s brand new website remains under seal, and the person involved is not identified.

“According to the Federal Judiciary Center (FJC), the court had not received an application in the 30 years since it was created, at least not until now,” the report said.

It described the process as a “significant escalation” in the president’s crackdown on illegal immigration, illegal aliens, the crimes they commit and the people and organizations that facilitate such crimes.

Already, his administration essentially closed down America’s border. He’s launched huge programs to deport illegal aliens, especially criminals, and he’s holding local and state jurisdictions accountable for their promotions of crime.

The new order, dated just days ago, said the United States filed an application on July 15 to “remove the respondent in the above-captioned matter from the United States.”

The court immediately responded with a hearing, and Joan N. Ericksen, the chief judge, explained that government lawyers were supplementing the record to respond to court questions.

“The answers persuaded the Court that the Government could benefit from the opportunity for more thoughtful consideration,” the judge said.

The court was set up by Congress to address the special cases where the government seeks the removal of noncitizens accused of terror under procedures that protect classified intelligence from being revealed.

The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 provides for the chief justice to assign five district judges to review such cases.

According to the report “A single judge reviews the application and may grant it, if it is determined that the government has correctly identified the individual ‘as an alien terrorist present in the United States and that removal under other available legal means would pose a risk to national security.'”

The sequence provides for a public hearing for the accused to be represented, and for the government to prove that person is an “alien terrorist.” Classified details can be covered in a “summary.”

A report at the Washington Examiner said the application must be accompanied by a sworn statement about why the defendant is an “alien terrorist.”

The Examiner said, the statute covers “members of designated foreign terrorist organizations, individuals who commit, plan, endorse, or espouse terrorist activity, and, in some circumstances, the spouses and children of those designated as alien terrorists. It also includes a broader provision allowing the secretary of state to designate as an alien terrorist a noncitizen who intends to engage in activities that could endanger the welfare, safety, or security of the United States.”

Bob Unruh

Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is currently a news editor for the WND News Center, and also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially. Read more of Bob Unruh's articles here.