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Judge Rejects Dismissal in Zada’s First Terrorist Removal Case

7/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

Judge Joan Ericksen denied the motion to dismiss Zada’s deportation case.
The case is the first before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, created 1996 and first used July 2026.
Assistant federal public defender Matthew Farley argued the court’s activation violates Zada’s constitutional rights.
Justice Department cites a July 15 FBI memo that Zada aided an ISIS-inspired Election Day plot, though she was arrested in Fort Worth, Texas and faces no charges.

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Story summary

Judge Joan Ericksen denied the motion to dismiss Zada’s deportation case.
The case is the first before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, created 1996 and first used July 2026.
Assistant federal public defender Matthew Farley argued the court’s activation violates Zada’s constitutional rights.
Justice Department cites a July 15 FBI memo that Zada aided an ISIS-inspired Election Day plot, though she was arrested in Fort Worth, Texas and faces no charges.