Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old Afghan citizen living in Fort Worth, Texas, has been deported from the United States following proceedings before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court. The woman held legal permanent residency status in the country. According to statements from the US Department of Justice and her legal representatives, Haji Zada chose to depart rather than continue fighting her case in the specialized tribunal.
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court was established in 1996 as a mechanism for handling cases involving non-citizens facing terrorism-related allegations when evidence is classified and concerns national security matters. The proceedings against Haji Zada in July marked the first time the court has actually heard a case in its three-decade existence. Haji Zada was never charged with any crime herself, but prosecutors alleged she served as the “matriarch” of a family group and worked to radicalize family members. Her son, Abdullah Haji Zada, and son-in-law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhed, were previously convicted for involvement in a plot to conduct a mass shooting on Election Day in 2024, which prosecutors said was inspired by the Islamic State organization.
The case has generated significant controversy regarding constitutional protections. Court-appointed attorneys for Haji Zada contended that the proceedings violated her right to due process under the US Constitution. The public defenders stated they were prevented from accessing the evidence used in the case. In a statement, attorneys Matthew Farley and Mary Manning Petras emphasized that “dragging lawful permanent residents into court but refusing to show them or their attorneys the evidence that will be used against them is a plain violation of due process.”
US Attorney General Todd Blanche characterized the case as a victory for national security and the rule of law, stating that those who support terrorism should not reside in the United States. The Justice Department indicated that Haji Zada “conceded that she is an alien terrorist” and waived her appeal rights. Her legal representatives, however, stated that her decision to consent to removal should not be interpreted as acceptance of the court’s constitutional legitimacy. They expressed confidence that the Alien Terrorist Removal Court will ultimately be struck down as unconstitutional if challenged before a judge.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI