US Alien Terrorist Removal Court issues first deportation order in 30 years

The U.S. Department of Justice secured its first-ever deportation order from the Alien Terrorist Removal Court against Nazira Haji Zada, an Afghan national, who was removed from the U.S. on August 26. Zada, 47, a former Fort Worth, Texas resident, conceded she is a terrorist and waived her right to appeal the termination of her immigration status. She was involved in a thwarted Election Day 2024 mass-casualty attack plot by ISIS-sympathizing family members, including her son and son-in-law, who have pleaded guilty to terrorism charges. Zada raised funds for the attack by selling property, and the government presented classified evidence of her complicity. FBI Director Kash Patel stated, "This is a historic and vitally important step in our work to protect the U.S. homeland from terrorism." The court, established in 1996, had not been utilized by any previous administration.