An Afghan woman, Nazira Haji Zada, 47, has been deported to Afghanistan after admitting in court to being an ‘alien terrorist.’ This marks the first successful use of the U.S. Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC) to expel a non-citizen labeled as a terrorist.
The Department of Justice stated that Zada’s deportation is a significant achievement for national security. Attorney General Todd Blanche said, ‘This landmark case demonstrates our commitment to protecting the United States by not allowing those who support terrorism to remain here.’
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche praised the successful use of the ATRC, describing the case as a landmark in national security efforts.
Zada’s case is linked to an alleged mass shooting plot for Election Day 2024 inspired by ISIS. Her son, Abdullah Haji Zada, and son-in-law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, were previously arrested for buying firearms from an undercover FBI agent. They admitted to planning a shooting using AK-47 rifles. Abdullah was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Tawhedi awaits sentencing.
Before her deportation, Zada lived in Fort Worth, Texas, as a permanent resident. Her removal order was issued on August 20, and she cannot return to the U.S.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the importance of the deportation in safeguarding the U.S. from terrorism.
Patel noted, ‘This step is crucial in our mission to protect the homeland. A person who supported a terrorist plot paid the price by losing the right to live in the U.S. Our partnership with the Justice Department ensures the safety of American citizens.’
The family allegedly sold possessions to fund the attack and had purchased one-way tickets to Kabul, excluding her son and Tawhedi.
Zada’s legal team criticized the ATRC process, describing it as a violation of due process since evidence was not shown to her or her lawyers. They anticipate the court being deemed unconstitutional in future judicial reviews.
Established by Congress in 1996, the ATRC was used for the first time in Zada’s case. This effort aligns with more than 2,000 deportations of known or suspected terrorists since 9/11, according to immigration authorities.
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