An Afghan permanent resident in Texas has been deported following the first-ever use of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday. Nazira Haji Zada, 47, left the United States rather than continue litigating her case, waiving her right to challenge the removal order and conceding to the government’s allegations.
The deportation marks the inaugural case for the 1996-established court, designed to handle deportations of noncitizens when classified evidence prevents public disclosure. Haji Zada was arrested in July at her Fort Worth home and brought before the court on a DOJ petition. The Justice Department stated she had agreed to be deported and permanently barred from re-entering the U.S.
Allegations and Legal Context
The DOJ alleged Haji Zada supported an ISIS-inspired mass shooting plot targeting Election Day 2024. Her son, Abdullah Haji Zada, and son-in-law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, were previously convicted in Oklahoma for their roles in the same plot. The DOJ claimed Haji Zada worked to radicalize her children and supported their extremist activities.
Public defenders initially indicated Haji Zada intended to contest the deportation, arguing the court’s secretive procedures violated due process rights. Targets of the court’s proceedings cannot review classified evidence against them and are barred from challenging its collection methods. The DOJ stated it provided half a terabyte of documents to her legal team in support of its case.
Reactions and Implications
Attorney General Todd Blanche called the case a “win for national security and the rule of law.” The swift resolution avoided a prolonged legal battle that could have tested the court’s authority and the strength of the allegations. The DOJ did not immediately disclose the destination or timing of her deportation.
The case highlights the Alien Terrorist Removal Court’s dormant status until July, when Haji Zada’s petition was filed. Established in 1996, the court has never previously received a petition, raising questions about its future use and the scope of its authority. Legal experts note the court’s proceedings differ from criminal trials, as defendants cannot confront classified evidence or challenge its origins.
Background on the Alien Terrorist Removal Court
Created in 1996, the court was intended to address deportations involving national security concerns where evidence cannot be publicly disclosed. Unlike traditional immigration courts, proceedings are classified, and defendants lack full access to the evidence against them. The court’s use remains rare, with Haji Zada’s case marking its first application.