On Friday (September 11), the US Department of Justice announced that the “Alien Terrorist Removal Court” (ATRC) in the United States made its first ruling since its establishment 30 years ago, to deport an Afghan woman holding a permanent resident status (commonly known as a green card). Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Established by Congress in 1996, this federal court is classified as a “secret court,” specializing in handling highly confidential cases related to national security and terrorism activities, with proceedings initially conducted under seal even without the knowledge of the parties involved.
Specifically, the government can secretly submit prosecution applications to the ATRC, where the court first determines eligibility, and defendants are only informed after a judge approves, giving them the opportunity to participate in open hearings and present a defense.
It wasn’t until this year that the ATRC held its first hearing.
The US Department of Justice accused Nazira Haji Zada of being inspired by ISIS (Islamic State) and supporting others in plotting a large-scale shooting incident before the 2024 presidential election.
Zada’s son, Abdullah Haji Zada, and son-in-law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, had previously been convicted of involvement in the conspiracy.
The two were arrested in October 2024, allegedly purchasing firearms and ammunition from an undercover FBI agent. They later admitted that they bought AK-47 rifles to carry out a large-scale shooting on behalf of ISIS.
According to the Department of Justice, Zada’s son was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Tawhedi is awaiting sentencing.
To raise funds for terrorist attacks, the family began selling assets and, in addition to Zada’s son and son-in-law, all family members purchased one-way tickets to Kabul. Zada herself had been residing in Fort Worth, Texas under a permanent resident status.
On August 20, a deportation order was issued against Zada, banning her from re-entering the US.
The 47-year-old Zada recently admitted to the ATRC that she is a “foreign terrorist” and waived her right to appeal before being deported back to Afghanistan.
US Attorney General Todd Blanche described the ATRC’s successful use as a milestone, stating it was a “victory for national security and the rule of law.” He emphasized that those who support or tolerate terrorism should not live in the US, and the handling of this case by the ATRC shows that the Department of Justice will use all means to protect the country.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the deportation of Zada marks an important step in protecting the US from terrorism, noting her involvement in planning attacks sympathizing with ISIS. He stressed the commitment of the FBI and DOJ’s partners to taking all necessary measures to safeguard the American people from terrorism threats.
Zada’s lawyer indicated her agreement to be deported but clarified that her consent should not be seen as a recognition of the court’s legitimacy.
(This article references reports from The Washington Post and FOX NEWS.)