Fort Worth, Texas – The Justice Department announced Friday that Nazira Haji Zada, 47, has been deported to Afghanistan after she waived her right to challenge her detention. Zada was arrested in July on accusations of supporting an Islamic State‑inspired plot tied to an Oklahoma Election Day terror scheme.

First case before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court

The case is the inaugural proceeding before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, a specialized tribunal created in 1996 but never used until now. Judge Joan Ericksen presided over the July hearing, and a sealed removal order issued on Aug. 20 was released after Zada’s departure.

Government officials hail the outcome

Attorney General Todd Blanche called the deportation “a win for national security and the rule of law,” emphasizing that anyone who supports terrorism has no place in the United States. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed the sentiment, stating the administration will use every lawful tool to remove such threats.

Defense attorneys challenge the court’s constitutionality

Zada’s lawyers argued that the Trump administration’s activation of the court violates constitutional due process rights. They criticized the secrecy of the evidence and urged the judge to dismiss the case. The defense maintains that the court’s procedures should be struck down as unconstitutional.

Family ties to the Oklahoma plot

The Justice Department identified Zada as the mother and mother‑in‑law of two Afghan men convicted in Oklahoma for plotting an attack on Election Day 2024. Her son, Abdullah Haji Zada, received a 15‑year sentence, and her son‑in‑law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, pleaded guilty to providing material support to the Islamic State, including ordering AK‑47 rifles and liquidating family assets.

Implications for future cases

The swift resolution avoids a prolonged legal battle that could have tested the court’s authority and the strength of the government’s allegations. It also signals the Justice Department’s willingness to employ all available mechanisms to protect the country from terrorist threats.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.