Justice Department Reactivates 1996 Terror Court to Deport Fort Worth Resident

A Precedent-Setting Legal Action

For the first time since its inception in 1996, the United States Justice Department has invoked the authority of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court. According to documents unsealed on July 29, 2026, federal prosecutors are seeking the immediate deportation of Nazira Haji Zada, a resident of Fort Worth, Texas. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche characterized the move as a fulfillment of the court's original intent: to expel individuals classified as foreign terrorists who have no legal right to reside in the country.

The tribunal is composed of five federal judges selected by the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Though it has existed for three decades, it remained entirely inactive until the current administration filed a petition this month. A hearing regarding the government's application is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C.

Allegations of a Family Terror Cell

Investigation records from the FBI, including a memo dated July 15, paint a picture of a family deeply embedded in radical extremist activity. Law enforcement officials claim Haji Zada is a supporter of the Islamic State who directed her children to swear allegiance to the group. The government specifically alleges she assisted a conspiracy intended to inflict mass casualties on American voters during the 2024 Election Day.

This case follows the convictions of Haji Zada’s son and son-in-law in Oklahoma for their participation in the same plot. The son, Abdullah Haji Zada, received a 15-year prison sentence last November and has already consented to deportation following his incarceration. Her son-in-law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, formerly a security guard at a U.S. military site in Afghanistan, pleaded guilty to providing material support to the Islamic State. Prosecutors noted that Tawhedi had liquidated family assets and purchased AK-47 rifles and one-way international flights as part of the preparations for the attack.

Expanding Enforcement Tactics

The decision to utilize this obscure legal venue signals a shift in the Department of Justice's strategy for managing non-citizens accused of terrorism. Unlike standard immigration proceedings, this specialized court provides a streamlined mechanism for removal. Todd Blanche stated that the allegations identify Haji Zada as the matriarch of a family sympathizing with ISIS, asserting that such individuals have no place on American soil.

• Nazira Haji Zada was arrested earlier this week in Texas.
• The FBI claims she supported the procurement of weapons and tactical planning by her relatives.
• The Alien Terrorist Removal Court operates under distinct rules designed to handle classified evidence and national security threats.

Source: The Hindu — World