In a notable victory for President Trump, the Justice Department announced Friday that it secured the first-ever deportation through the Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), a secretive tribunal created by Congress three decades ago but never used until this administration activated it this summer.
Case details
The individual, Nazira Haji Zada, an Afghan woman, was accused of assisting her son and son‑in‑law in planning a foiled 2024 terror plot. Court filings show she conceded to being designated an “alien terrorist” under immigration law and waived her right to appeal, leading to her removal to Afghanistan.
Both her attorneys and the Trump administration reached an agreement on her deportation last month, leaving broader constitutional questions about the court’s secretive procedures unanswered.
Legal background
The ATRC was established by Congress to allow rapid removal of individuals deemed terrorist threats when standard immigration proceedings could expose national‑security secrets. Prior administrations never invoked the court, likely fearing constitutional challenges.
Critics, including civil‑rights lawyers, have argued the court’s procedures violate due‑process protections and other constitutional amendments. However, the newly unsealed documents show no indication that Chief Judge Joan Ericksen took additional steps to scrutinize the administration’s arguments after granting initial approval for the tribunal’s use.
Administration response
Attorney General Todd Blanche praised the outcome, stating, “This landmark case, resulting in the prompt removal of this alien terrorist to her country of origin, is a win for national security and the rule of law.” FBI Director Kash Patel added, “An individual who supported a plot by ISIS‑sympathizing family members to commit an attack in America has paid the price for that.” Blanche told Fox News, “This was the first time we’ve done this, and I promise you we’re going to do this more often.”
Family connections
Haji Zada’s son is serving a 15‑year sentence for obtaining firearms to support a terrorist organization, while her son‑in‑law, described as the driving force behind the ISIS‑aligned plot, has reached a plea deal but has not yet been sentenced.
The court’s procedures keep classified information hidden from both the public and the immigrant subject to removal, allowing the Justice Department to protect sensitive intelligence while pursuing deportations.
Implications
Legal observers note the administration’s use of the ATRC signals a willingness to employ every tool available to safeguard the homeland, even as constitutional scholars await further challenges that could shape the future of this secretive court.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
