US Seeks to Deport Afghan Woman via Never-Used Terror Court
The Justice Department filed its first ever petition to the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, targeting a 47-year-old from Texas connected to an Election Day plot.
Talivio News · Global2 min read
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The US Justice Department is seeking to deport Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old Afghan woman residing in Fort Worth, Texas, through the Alien Terrorist Removal Court for the first time since its creation in 1996. An initial hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Washington, D.C.
1996 year
The year the Alien Terrorist Removal Court was created; no petition was filed until now.
US acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated: 'The Department’s application makes clear that terrorists have no place in the United States.' The court was established in 1996 but never received a petition until the Trump administration filed one this month.
According to the FBI, Nazira Haji Zada supported the plot, pledged loyalty to ISIS, and worked to indoctrinate her children. The FBI wrote: 'Nazira worked with Tawhedi to radicalize the family and conceal their pro-ISIS teaching.' However, she has not been charged with terrorism and has no known criminal record.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, Zada's son-in-law, pleaded guilty to conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State. Authorities reported that he attempted to advance his attack plans by ordering AK-47 rifles, liquidating assets, and purchasing one-way tickets for his wife and child. Additionally, it was reported that Zada's son, Abdullah Haji Zada, was arrested at age 17, charged as an adult, received a 15-year sentence, and agreed to deportation after prison.
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court allows the government to deport noncitizens using classified evidence that cannot be publicly disclosed; individuals cannot review classified evidence or challenge how it was obtained. It was reported that the court holds initial proceedings privately, with public hearings only after a removal application is approved.
Updates
The FBI has identified the individual targeted in the petition as Nazira Haji Zada, alleging her involvement in the election plot is based on information from a reliable source. Additionally, it has been confirmed that Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi previously pleaded guilty in 2025 to charges of supporting Daesh.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche identified the woman as the matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family involved in a foiled plot to conduct a mass casualty attack on American voters during the 2024 Election Day. FBI investigations revealed that she allegedly planned to relocate her family to ISIS-controlled territory without her husband's knowledge. Additionally, it has been confirmed that her sons were previously convicted in Oklahoma for their roles in supporting the terrorist organization.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche officially characterized Nazira Haji Zada as the matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family involved in the failed 2024 Election Day mass shooting plot. Investigators allege that Zada aided the scheme, which included planning to relocate her family to ISIS-controlled territory without her husband's knowledge. Additionally, Zada's sons, Abdullah Haji Zada and Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, have already been convicted in Oklahoma for their roles in the plot, which involved purchasing weapons from an undercover FBI agent.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has officially confirmed that the case against the 47-year-old woman involves an ISIS-sympathizing family, alleging she aided a planned mass casualty attack on voters during the 2024 Election Day. Reports indicate the plot was a failed mass shooting attempt involving her sons, who have already been convicted in Oklahoma for their roles. Federal investigators further allege that she planned to relocate her family to ISIS-controlled territory without her husband's knowledge.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the case against the 47-year-old Texas woman centers on her alleged role as the matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family involved in a foiled mass casualty plot targeting American voters during the 2024 Election Day. Federal investigators further allege that she planned to relocate her family to ISIS-controlled territory without her husband's knowledge, while her sons have already been convicted in Oklahoma for their participation in the scheme.
Newly unsealed court documents confirm that Nazira Haji Zada was arrested earlier this week in connection to a failed mass shooting plot targeting voters on Election Day 2024. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that Zada acted as the matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family, allegedly planning to relocate them to ISIS-controlled territory without her husband's knowledge. The case involves her sons, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi and Abdullah Haji Zada, who were previously convicted in Oklahoma for purchasing weapons from an undercover FBI agent.
Court records released on Wednesday reveal that Nazira Haji Zada, who was arrested earlier this week, is accused by the FBI of planning to relocate her family to ISIS-controlled territory without her husband's knowledge. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the evidence characterizes Zada as the matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family involved in a plot to conduct a mass casualty attack on voters during the 2024 Election Day. Additionally, it has been disclosed that her sons, Abdullah Haji Zada and Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, were previously convicted in Oklahoma for their roles in the conspiracy, which included purchasing firearms from an undercover agent.
Court records released on Wednesday reveal that Nazira Haji Zada, who was arrested earlier this week, is accused of planning to relocate her family to ISIS-controlled territory without her husband's knowledge. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche characterized the defendant as the matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family involved in a failed 2024 Election Day mass shooting plot. According to FBI allegations, the plot involved her sons, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi and Abdullah Haji Zada, who were previously convicted in Oklahoma for purchasing weapons from an undercover agent.
Newly released court records reveal that the deportation case against lawful permanent resident Nazira Haji Zada stems from an alleged 2024 Election Day mass shooting plot involving her sons, who have already been convicted in Oklahoma. Federal officials allege Zada assisted in the plot and planned to relocate her family to ISIS-controlled territory. While government attorneys argue Zada qualifies as a deportable terrorist based on classified evidence, her defense has moved to dismiss the case, claiming the use of the civil Alien Terrorist Removal Court violates due process and the Constitution.
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court held its first hearing this Thursday, presided over by Judge Joan Ericksen, who clarified that the proceedings are a civil immigration matter rather than a criminal one. Nazira Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident arrested in Fort Worth, was represented by federal defender Matthew Farley, who challenged the case as unconstitutional. Government officials allege that Zada, identified as a matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family, supported a 2024 Election Day mass shooting plot involving her sons, who were previously convicted in Oklahoma.
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court held its first hearing on Thursday, where Judge Joan Ericksen emphasized that the proceeding is a civil matter under the immigration code, rather than a criminal one. Nazira Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident arrested in Fort Worth, faces government allegations that she planned to relocate her family to ISIS-controlled territory. Her defense attorney, Matthew Farley, has moved to dismiss the case, arguing that the proceedings violate due process and the Constitution.
