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Nazira Haji Zada Becomes First Person to Appear Before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court

Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old lawful permanent resident from Afghanistan, became the first person to appear before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court on Thursday. The court, created by Congress in 1996, was designed to deport noncitizens who are classified as alien terrorists under a lower evidentiary standard than criminal trials, allowing the government to protect national security by keeping evidence classified. Justice Department prosecutors allege that Haji Zada helped radicalize her family and supported a plot to launch a mass casualty attack on American voters during the 2024 election. While her son and son-in-law were already convicted of conspiring with the Islamic State, Haji Zada herself has no criminal history. Defense attorney Matthew Farley argued that the process is unconstitutional and a violation of due process, noting that the accused is often barred from viewing the classified evidence. The administration's use of the court is expected to face significant legal challenges, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.

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