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Justice Department activates untested court for 'alien terrorist' deportations
By Eric Tucker, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 19, 2026
· 3 min read
The Trump administration has filed a first-ever petition to a secretive and dormant court created 30 years ago to consider government requests to deport so-called “alien terrorists” from the United States.The Alien Terrorist Removal Court was established in 1996 but had never received a petition ...
Key takeaway The court's authorities emerged from the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, which permits the attorney general to file under seal applications for the deportation of a suspected “alien terrorist.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The activation of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court has significant implications for the San Antonio community, where immigration and national security concerns often intersect. As a major city with a large immigrant population, San Antonio has seen its fair share of deportation cases and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement. The use of this previously dormant court to deport individuals deemed "alien terrorists" raises questions about the balance between public safety and individual rights. The fact that the court has been dormant for 30 years and is now being used by the Trump administration to pursue deportation cases suggests a shift in the government's approach to immigration and national security. San Antonio residents should watch closely as this case unfolds, particularly given the city's history of immigrant advocacy and its role as a major hub for immigration cases in the southern United States.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Trump administration has filed a first-ever petition to a secretive and dormant court created 30 years ago to consider government requests to deport so-called “alien terrorists” from the United States.The Alien Terrorist Removal Court was established in 1996 but had never received a petition ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Eric Tucker, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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