Long-dormant federal court holds first public hearing in deportation case of Afghan woman under Trump administration

On July 30, 2026, the Alien Terrorist Removal Court held its first-ever public hearing to consider the deportation of Nazira Haji Zada, an Afghan woman and lawful U.S. permanent resident. Arrested on July 28, 2026, Zada is accused of supporting an ISIS-inspired Election Day plot involving her relatives, though she faces no criminal charges. Her defense argues the long-dormant court's activation violates her constitutional rights, marking a new phase in the Trump administration's deportation campaign.

Alien Terrorist Removal Court

• ▪The Alien Terrorist Removal Court was established in 1996 to conduct deportation proceedings for individuals classified by the Department of Justice as "alien terrorists."
• ▪The Alien Terrorist Removal Court consists of five federal judges from different districts across the United States, appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.
• ▪The Alien Terrorist Removal Court had never received a petition until July 2026, when the Department of Justice filed an application seeking Nazira Haji Zada's removal.

Nazira Haji Zada deportation

• ▪Chief Judge Joan Ericksen denied requests to dismiss the deportation case against Nazira Haji Zada and immediately release her during a hearing on July 30, 2026.
• ▪Nazira Haji Zada is not charged with any crimes, but the United States government alleges she is an Islamic State supporter.
• ▪FBI agents arrested Nazira Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, on July 28, 2026, at her home in Fort Worth, Texas.

Constitutional due process challenges

• ▪Defense attorney Matthew Farley argued on July 30, 2026, that activating the Alien Terrorist Removal Court to deport Nazira Haji Zada violates her constitutional rights and due process.
• ▪Defense attorney Matthew Farley characterized the deportation proceedings against Nazira Haji Zada as a "runaround for bringing a criminal case."

ISIS Election Day plot

• ▪An FBI memo dated July 15, 2026, alleges Nazira Haji Zada supported a plot by relatives to carry out an ISIS-inspired attack in the United States.
• ▪The FBI alleges Nazira Haji Zada had her children pledge their loyalty to the Islamic State terrorist group.

Family member convictions

• ▪Nazira Haji Zada is the mother-in-law of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, who pleaded guilty to conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State.
• ▪Nazira Haji Zada is the mother of Abdullah Haji Zada, who was sentenced in November to 15 years in prison for his role in a 2024 Election Day plot.

Trump deportation strategy

• ▪The deportation case against Nazira Haji Zada represents a new, untested front for President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation campaign.
• ▪Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the Department of Justice's application to the Alien Terrorist Removal Court shows the matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family aided in a plot to launch a mass casualty attack.