30-year-old federal terror court to hear its first case

Federal prosecutors have filed their first case with the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, a bid to deport an Afghan woman allegedly connected to a foiled mass shooting plot, according to a Thursday statement from the Department of Justice. Congress established the specialized court in 1996 to allow for the swift removal of noncitizens suspected of terrorist activities if the government presented substantial evidence. The DOJ’s filing marks the court’s first since its creation three decades ago.

Prosecutors petitioned for the removal of 47-year-old Nazira Haji Zada of Fort Worth, Texas, for her alleged role in attempting to plot a mass shooting. The DOJ characterized Nazira Haji Zada as an Afghan family matriarch whose son and son-in-law were arrested and convicted of plotting an Islamic State–inspired attack.

Zada’s son Abdullah Haji Zada, who was 17 at the time, and her son-in-law Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi were arrested on Oct. 7, 2024, after purchasing guns and ammunition from an undercover FBI official, according to the DOJ. Abdullah pleaded guilty to federal terror charges last November and is expected to be deported to Afghanistan after serving his 15-year prison sentence. Tawhedi also pleaded guilty to federal terror charges last June, admitting to conspiring with others and communicating with an Islamic State facilitator about the terror plot.

How was Zada allegedly involved in the plot? Prosecutors accused Zada of knowingly attempting to provide material aid to the would-be attackers by raising money to fund the attack. The family started selling off furniture, computers, and two vehicles in 2024 to fund the attacks, with Zada even signing a contract to sell the family home, according to the DOJ. The family also purchased one-way flights to Kabul for Zada and the children, though not for Abdullah or Tawhedi, prosecutors noted.

The DOJ submitted the petition for Zada’s removal two weeks ago and arrested her earlier this week. She was scheduled to appear before the terror court’s chief justice in Washington, D.C., on Thursday morning.