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U.S. Deports Afghan Woman in First Use of Secret Terrorism Court for Deportation
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The United States has deported Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old Afghan woman and lawful permanent resident of Texas, marking the first use of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, a secretive tribunal established by Congress in 1996 but never previously used. The Justice Department alleged she helped conceal an attempted mass shooting plot inspired by Islamic State targeting Election Day 2024. She was never criminally charged, but her son and son-in-law pleaded guilty to related charges. Haji Zada agreed not to contest her case and was deported after Chief Judge Joan Ericksen approved the removal. Attorney General Todd Blanche called the case a victory for national security and the rule of law. Her public defender, Matthew Farley, stated that the agreement should not be seen as an endorsement of the court's legitimacy, arguing that using classified evidence without allowing defendants or their attorneys to review it violates due process and that the court will likely be found unconstitutional.
Source report
Sept 11 (Reuters) – An Afghan woman accused of supporting Islamic State has been deported from the United States, marking the first time the Justice Department has used a little-known court established three decades ago to remove "alien terrorists."
Nazira Haji Zada, 47, who had lived in Texas as a lawful permanent resident, was deported after agreeing not to contest her case before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court following her arrest in July, the Justice Department announced on Friday.
Allegations and Background
- The department alleged that she helped conceal an attempted mass shooting plot inspired by Islamic State targeting Election Day 2024.
- She was never criminally charged, but her son and son-in-law pleaded guilty last year to related charges.
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court
Her case was brought before the court created by Congress in 1996, which had remained unused for decades. The court allows the government to use classified evidence in deportation cases.
Her lawyers initially argued that the secret proceedings violated her due process rights. Defendants in such cases are not permitted to review the classified evidence used against them.
Court Proceedings
According to court documents unsealed on Friday, Haji Zada agreed last month that she was an "alien terrorist" subject to removal. Chief Judge Joan Ericksen subsequently approved her deportation.
Official Statements
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement:
"This landmark case, which swiftly returned this alien terrorist to his country of origin, is a victory for national security and the rule of law."
Matthew Farley, the public defender representing Haji Zada, said in a statement that her agreement to be deported "should not be seen as an endorsement of the court's legitimacy." He stated:
"Dragging lawful permanent residents into court while refusing to show them or their attorneys the evidence that will be used against them clearly violates due process. We believe that once a judge is asked to address this issue, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court will be found unconstitutional."
Broader Context
The case is the latest in a series of aggressive measures taken by President Donald Trump's administration to enforce immigration crackdowns. It remains unclear whether the Justice Department will soon use the obscure court again.
Source: Reuters
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U.S. Deports Afghan Green Card Holder in First Use of Secret Alien Terrorist Court