Afghan woman deported from US in first use of 'alien terrorist' court
Nazira Haji Zada, an Afghan woman residing in Texas, has been deported following the first-ever use of the secretive Alien Terrorist Removal Court. She was accused of radicalizing family members involved in a foiled terror plot, though she was never formally charged with a crime.
Why it matters
The case marks a significant precedent in US national security law, raising questions about due process and the use of confidential evidence in immigration proceedings.
Image source, Getty Images By Max Matza Published 1 hour ago An Afghan woman living in Texas with legal US permanent residency has been deported from the country in the first-ever use of a secretive court.
Nazira Haji Zada, 47, chose to leave the US rather than continue to argue her case before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and her lawyers.
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court was created in 1996, but had never heard a case before the proceedings in July. It is meant for non-US citizens facing terrorism-related charges when the evidence is confidential and related to national security.
Lawyers for Haji Zada argued that the case violated her right to due process under the US Constitution.
Afghanistan citizen Haji Zada was never charged with a crime, but prosecutors had tried and convicted her son and son-in-law for terror offenses.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
US Deports Afghan Woman In First Use Of Alien Terrorist Removal Court
Afghan woman in Texas dubbed an "alien terrorist" is deported in DOJ's first case using obscure court - CBS News
US deports Afghan woman after 'alien terrorist' trial over failed mass shooting
Alien Terrorist Removal Court deports legal US resident to Afghanistan in first-ever case
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