First-Ever Terrorist Removal Court Case: What It Means

What if the government believes you are a terrorist but cannot prove it in open court without revealing classified secrets? That question sat unanswered for three decades — until now. On July 15, 2026, the Department of Justice filed the first-ever case in the Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), a federal court that Congress created in 1996 but that had never been used. The respondent is Nazira Haji Zada, 47, a Fort Worth, Texas resident accused of helping plan an ISIS-inspired mass shooting targeting American voters on Election Day 2024.

What the government alleges

Nazira's son, Abdullah Haji Zada, and son-in-law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, were arrested on October 7, 2024, after buying two AK-47 rifles, 500 rounds of ammunition, and 10 magazines from an undercover FBI employee. Abdullah, who was 17 at the time, pleaded guilty as an adult and received a 15-year prison sentence. His plea agreement included a judicial order of removal to Afghanistan after his sentence ends — an order that also terminated his lawful permanent resident (green card) status. Tawhedi, 28, pleaded guilty on June 13, 2025, to two terrorism-related offenses and is awaiting sentencing. According to court documents, the family sold furniture, computers, vehicles, and the family home to raise money for the attack, and purchased one-way tickets to Kabul for Nazira and the children — but not for Abdullah and Tawhedi — shortly before the planned shooting. Nazira was arrested this week and appeared before ATRC Chief Judge Joan N. Ericksen in Washington, D.C. on July 30.

Why this court is different from regular immigration court

The ATRC was built for exactly this kind of case. In a normal removal proceeding (the legal process the government uses to deport someone), all evidence is presented in open court. That works for most cases. But when evidence comes from intelligence sources, making it public could endanger national security. The ATRC solves that problem by allowing the government to use classified information in a closed setting. The court is made up of Article III federal judges — the same kind who sit on regular federal district courts — appointed to the ATRC by the Chief Justice of the United States. The government must prove its case by a "preponderance of the evidence," meaning it is more likely than not that the person is a terrorist under 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(4)(B). Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called the filing "a historic step" and said the court makes clear that "terrorists have no place in the United States."

What to do if you receive a removal notice

• Do not ignore any notice from immigration authorities or the Department of Justice — missing a hearing can result in an automatic removal order against you.
• Do not speak to federal agents — including FBI or ICE officers — without an attorney present. Anything you say can be used in removal proceedings.
• If you receive a notice related to national security or terrorism allegations, ask immediately whether you qualify for appointed counsel under the ATRC statute (8 U.S.C. § 1534). The government is required to provide a lawyer if you cannot afford one in ATRC cases.
• Contact an immigration attorney with national security or removal defense experience as soon as possible — standard immigration lawyers may not have the clearances needed for classified-evidence cases.

A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Immigration Court Rulings”.