DOJ Activates First-Ever Terror Removal Court Case Against Alleged ISIS Supporter
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an unprecedented legal effort against an Afghan national accused of supporting an ISIS-inspired plot to carry out a mass shooting targeting Americans during the 2024 election, marking the first-ever case before a long-dormant federal court.
The DOJ filed the removal application against Nazira Haji Zada, 47, of Fort Worth, Texas, on July 15, alleging she supported a plot involving her son, Abdullah Haji Zada, and her son-in-law, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi.
The two men were previously arrested in connection with an alleged plan to carry out a mass-casualty attack on behalf of ISIS.
“Congress created the Alien Terrorist Removal Court three decades ago to remove from the United States alien terrorists who never should have been here in the first place,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
“The allegations in this case show the matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family aiding in a plot to launch a mass casualty attack on American voters on Election Day.”
According to court documents, Tawhedi admitted that he and others planned to obtain weapons and ammunition for an attack around Election Day 2024.
Prosecutors said Tawhedi purchased two AK-47-style rifles, 500 rounds of ammunition, and 10 magazines from an undercover FBI employee as part of the alleged plot.
The DOJ said Abdullah Haji Zada, who was 17 when he was arrested, later pleaded guilty as an adult and received a 15-year prison sentence.
As part of his plea agreement, Abdullah agreed to be removed from the United States after serving his sentence.
Tawhedi pleaded guilty in June 2025 to charges related to providing material support to ISIS and obtaining firearms in furtherance of a terrorism offense. He is awaiting sentencing.
Federal prosecutors also allege the family took steps to prepare for the planned attack, including selling property and purchasing one-way airfare to Afghanistan for Zada and other family members.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the case as a significant step in using federal authorities to address terrorism threats.
“No one should be allowed to come into our country and then betray it,” Patel said. “The FBI and our Justice Department partners will not hesitate to use all available resources to protect the American people.”
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court was created by Congress in 1996 but had never previously been used.
The specialized court allows the government to seek removal of noncitizens accused of terrorism while protecting classified national security information from public disclosure.
The court’s first hearing took place Thursday before Chief Judge Joan N. Ericksen in Washington, D.C. During the hearing, Zada’s attorney challenged the process, arguing the proceedings violate constitutional due process protections.
“This entire scheme is in violation of due process and unconstitutional,” defense attorney Matthew Farley said, according to CBS News.
Farley argued the case allows the government to remove an individual using a lower evidentiary standard than a criminal prosecution and limits the defense’s access to classified evidence.
Judge Ericksen denied a request to immediately release Zada but pressed prosecutors for more information about the allegations against her.
The DOJ said the case represents a coordinated effort involving the National Security Division, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The proceeding marks the first test of a long-dormant court designed to handle cases involving alleged foreign terrorist threats and classified national security information.
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