In a historic first, the U.S. Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), established three decades ago, has successfully deported an Afghan woman accused of supporting an ISIS-inspired mass shooting plot targeting Election Day 2024. Nazira Haji Zada, 47, a permanent resident of Fort Worth, Texas, admitted her status as an “alien terrorist” to the ATRC and waived her right to appeal, leading to her swift removal to Afghanistan. Attorney General Todd Blanche hailed the deportation as a significant victory for national security, stating, “Those who support and condone terrorism should not be living in the United States, and this first-ever case before the ATRC shows how the [DOJ] will use every tool at its disposal to protect our country.” Zada’s son and son-in-law were previously convicted for their roles in the alleged plot, having been arrested in October 2024 after purchasing firearms and ammunition from an undercover FBI agent, with the intent to carry out the attack on behalf of the Islamic State. Her son received a 15-year sentence, while her son-in-law awaits sentencing. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the deportation’s importance, calling it “a historic and vitally important step in our work to protect the U.S. homeland from terrorism.” While Zada is barred from re-entry, her defense attorneys contested the ATRC’s legitimacy, arguing that the court’s procedures violate due process by withholding evidence from defendants and their legal counsel, and expressed confidence that the court would eventually be deemed unconstitutional.
Adapted from: Latest Political News on Fox News
