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U.S. Deports Afghan Resident in First Alien Terrorist Removal Court Proceedings
Just the facts
Federal prosecutors alleged that Haji Zada assisted in radicalizing family members and supported an Islamic State-inspired plot to conduct an Election Day mass shooting in 2024. Her son, Abdullah Haji Zada, and son-in-law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, were previously prosecuted and convicted in federal court for their roles in the conspiracy. The Alien Terrorist Removal Court allows the federal government to present classified national security evidence against noncitizen residents without public disclosure or defense access to sensitive files. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the government provided half a terabyte of investigative documents to defense attorneys before Haji Zada agreed to relinquish her legal status and accept deportation to Afghanistan.
Why this is news
The United States Department of Justice completed the deportation of 47-year-old Afghan permanent resident Nazira Haji Zada after she conceded to being an alien terrorist and waived her right to appeal. The proceeding represents the first utilization of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court since its creation under federal immigration law in 1996.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.