First Alien Terrorist Removal Court Case: US Resident Deported to Afghanistan

Nazira Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, has admitted to being an “alien terrorist,” a plea that will be heard in the newly established Alien Terrorist Removal Court. The court, created under the 2024 National Security and Immigration Reform Act, is the first of its kind to adjudicate cases involving non‑citizens who are alleged to pose a national‑security threat while holding lawful permanent resident status. Zada’s admission marks the inaugural proceeding in this specialized tribunal.

The court’s mandate is to expedite removal proceedings for individuals deemed to be engaged in terrorist activities or who have ties to foreign terrorist organizations. In Zada’s case, prosecutors allege that she provided logistical support to a designated extremist group, a claim she has now acknowledged. The proceedings will determine whether she will be deported, face criminal charges, or be subjected to other security measures, and will set a precedent for how the court handles future cases involving lawful permanent residents.

If the court upholds the removal order, Zada will be expelled from the United States and barred from reentry. The decision will also signal the government’s willingness to apply the new legal framework to high‑profile security threats, potentially influencing the treatment of other permanent residents suspected of terrorism.