Alien Terrorist Deported: The Case of Nazira Haji Zada

Alien Terrorist Deported: The Case of Nazira Haji Zada

An Afghan permanent resident residing in Texas has been deported after being accused by the Justice Department of being an "alien terrorist," marking the first instance of such a case. Nazira Haji Zada, 47, chose to leave the United States rather than continue the legal battle in the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, a court established in 1996 to deport noncitizens with classified cases for national security reasons. Public defenders representing Haji Zada initially contested the secretive nature of the court's rules, arguing that it violated her due process rights.

Despite never being charged with a crime, Haji Zada's son and son-in-law were convicted for a plot to carry out an ISIS-inspired mass shooting on Election Day in 2024. The Justice Department claimed that Haji Zada supported their plans and attempted to radicalize her children to back ISIS. Haji Zada ultimately acknowledged being an alien terrorist and waived her right to appeal the removal order, leading to the termination of her previous status.

The Justice Department provided Haji Zada's lawyers with a substantial amount of evidence, totaling half a terabyte, to support its claim that she is an alien terrorist. Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the significance of this case, stating that the swift deportation of Haji Zada is a victory for national security and the rule of law. Blanche underscored the Department's commitment to using all available tools to safeguard the country from individuals who support terrorism.