local
Justice Department activates untested court for ‘alien terrorist' deportations
By Eric Tucker | The Associated Press at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories
· 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 petit...
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 Frisco News
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where immigration and national security concerns often intersect, the activation of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court takes on particular significance. As the Trump administration pursues deportation cases, including those involving alleged terrorist ties, local residents may wonder how these federal efforts could impact the region's diverse communities. The fact that the court, established in 1996, has only now received its first petition suggests that the government is exploring new avenues for deportation, which could have implications for North Texas's sizable immigrant population. The court's requirement for a public hearing, should an application be granted, may also raise questions about transparency and due process in these cases, potentially sparking local debate and scrutiny of the deportation process. As the Justice Department gathers more information in response to the court's request, local observers will be watching to see how this untested court navigates its first case.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Frisco News 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 NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more Frisco News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 petit...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Eric Tucker | The Associated Press at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter