First of its kind in the US: 'Foreign terrorist' deported from the country

The US Department of Justice announced the deportation of Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old Afghan citizen, after she agreed to be classified as a "foreign terrorist" and waived her right to appeal. This is the first case ever heard in the Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), established in 1996 but never activated until now. Zada supported her son and son-in-law's plan to carry out a mass shooting inspired by ISIS on Election Day 2024.

The US Department of Justice announced the deportation of Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old Afghan citizen who lived in Fort Worth, Texas, after she agreed to the legal classification of "foreign terrorist" and waived her right to appeal the removal order. This is the first case ever heard in the US Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), established by Congress in 1996 but never activated until now. According to the Justice Department, Zada supported the plan of her son, Abdullah Haji Zada, and her son-in-law, Nasser Ahmad Tawhedi, to carry out a mass shooting inspired by ISIS on Election Day, November 5, 2024. The two were arrested on October 7, 2024, after purchasing two AK-47 rifles, 500 rounds of ammunition, and ten magazines from an undercover FBI agent. The family sold property, including furniture, computers, a cell phone, and two vehicles, and Zada signed a contract to sell the family home. They purchased one-way tickets to Kabul. Abdullah, 17 at the time of his arrest, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Tawhedi, 28, pleaded guilty in June 2025 to two terrorism charges and awaits sentencing. Zada appeared in court on July 30, the removal order was issued on August 20, and her deportation was completed today. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the historic case shows how the department will use all tools to protect the state.