Full Breakdown
Afghan Woman Faces First Deportation in Secretive Alien Terrorist Removal Court
7/31/2026, 10:24:34 PM
First Hearing in a Dormant Tribunal
On July 30, 2026, Chief Judge Joan Ericksen presided over the inaugural public hearing of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC) in Washington, D.C. The case concerns Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old lawful permanent resident of Fort Worth, Texas. The Justice Department alleges Zada “supported” an Islamic State-inspired plot to carry out a mass shooting on Election Day 2024 and that she pledged loyalty to ISIS. The government seeks her removal under the ATRC’s authority to deport non-citizens when the evidence is classified.
Background of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court
Congress created the ATRC in 1996 to allow deportation of “alien terrorists” when classified information precludes a normal immigration proceeding. For three decades the court existed only on paper, earning the nickname “zombie court.” Its structure mirrors the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, with five federal judges appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Until the July 15 filing this year, the court had never received a petition.
Family Plot and Classified Allegations
Zada’s son, Abdullah Haji Zada, and son-in-law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, pleaded guilty in federal court in Oklahoma for purchasing two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition from an undercover FBI agent as part of a plot targeting the 2024 election. Abdullah, sentenced to 15 years in November 2024, agreed to be deported after his release. Tawhedi entered a guilty plea on June 13, 2025 to conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State.
The Justice Department’s unclassified summary—released on July 17—contains only two paragraphs that repeat the sons’ convictions. The government says the evidence cannot be disclosed without jeopardizing national security.
Data & Statistics
- Two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition purchased by the sons.
- Abdullah Haji Zada: 15-year prison term, agreed deportation.
- Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi: guilty plea on June 13, 2025.
- ATRC created in 1996; first use on July 30, 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
FBI Director Kash Patel called the proceeding “a historic step” for the court. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg emphasized that the ATRC allows the government to protect national security while removing dangerous aliens.
Judge Ericksen indicated she will require the Justice Department to provide a specific “reason and rationale” for each piece of classified information it seeks to withhold, noting that a “blanket explanation would not suffice.” She also acknowledged the court’s lack of an electronic filing system and expressed hope that future filings will appear on PACER.
Criticism & Opposition
Federal public defender Matthew Farley, appointed to represent Zada, argued that the process violates her Fifth-Amendment due-process rights. He described the unclassified summary as “woefully inadequate,” noting it offers only two paragraphs that repeat publicly known facts from the sons’ criminal cases.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree that Zada has never been charged with a terrorism offense and has no prior criminal record. The Justice Department’s filings assert she “supported” the plot, while the public record provides only the sons’ convictions. The extent of the classified evidence and the specific allegations against Zada remain undisclosed, creating a gap between the government’s claims and the defense’s ability to contest them.
What’s Next
Judge Ericksen has not set a date for a removal hearing. She signaled that future proceedings will focus on whether the Justice Department can justify withholding classified material from Zada’s appointed counsel. The outcome will determine how the ATRC operates in practice and may prompt further constitutional challenges.
