First Use of Alien Terrorist Removal Court Sends Afghan Legal Resident Back to Afghanistan
In a landmark case, the U.S. Justice Department invoked the Alien Terrorist Removal Court for the first time since its creation three decades ago to deport Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old Afghan lawful permanent resident. She admitted to being an "alien terrorist" for supporting her son and son-in-law's plot for an Islamic State-inspired mass shooting on Election Day 2024. Both men were convicted and face deportation after serving their prison terms.
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court, established by Congress in the 1990s as a secretive venue for deporting noncitizens tied to terrorism, had never been used until this case. Nazira Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident from Afghanistan, admitted to supporting her son and son-in-law’s planned Election Day 2024 attack inspired by the Islamic State. Her admission triggered the court’s first-ever proceeding, resulting in her removal to Afghanistan. Both male relatives were separately convicted and will be deported after completing prison sentences. The case marks a significant, if long-dormant, application of a rarely tested legal mechanism.
This first use of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court could set a precedent for how the government handles noncitizens accused of aiding terrorism, potentially expanding its use in future cases. It may affect immigrant communities by raising concerns about secret proceedings and the threshold for “alien terrorist” status. Legal observers could debate due process, while national security advocates may see it as a necessary tool. The impact on Afghan residents and families with ties to conflict zones could be particularly pronounced, though broader societal effects remain uncertain.