“The Alien Terrorist Removal Court has existed since 1996. The attorney general submits applications for removal to the court under seal. According to the Federal Judicial Center, it has never received an application since its founding. Until this week.. Seamus Hughes of Court Watch broke the news Saturday of its first use — and the creation of a bare-bones court website. In its first order, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court rejected for now the Trump administration’s application to remove an unidentified individual but gave it a chance to supplement the record, noting that “the Government could benefit from the opportunity for more thoughtful consideration.” The best reporting and analysis on this new development:

• Politico: Trump administration activates never-before-used ‘alien terrorist’ deportation court
• Chris Geidner: The Trump admin DOJ went to a secretive deportation court this week
• Steve Vladeck: Here’s what we know, and why we should (and shouldn’t) be worried.