The Trump administration has invoked the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, a specialized federal court dormant since its creation in 1996, to seek the deportation of Nazira Haji Zada, an Afghan woman accused of aiding an Islamic State-inspired terror plot in the United States.

Court records made public on Wednesday, July 30th, 2026, reveal that Haji Zada, from Fort Worth, Texas, is the first person facing deportation through this court. The initial hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 30th, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

Federal charges detailed by Gerace II involve eight individuals allegedly connected to a terror plot that included plans to attack a UFC event and murder federal officials, potentially including the president and vice president. Prosecutors state that the conspiracy involved providing material support to terrorists.

An FBI memo dated July 15th indicates that authorities "developed information" showing Haji Zada supports the Islamic State and had her children pledge loyalty to the terrorist group. The memo further states that Haji Zada "supported" a plot by family members to carry out an ISIS-inspired attack in the U.S.

Prosecutors also reported attempts to advance attack plans by ordering AK-47 rifles, liquidating family assets, and purchasing one-way tickets for family members to return to Afghanistan.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement, "The Department’s application in this court makes clear that terrorists have no place in the United States of America." He described the allegations as showing "the matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family aiding in a plot to launch a mass casualty attack on American voters on Election Day."

Congress created the Alien Terrorist Removal Court three decades ago to remove alien terrorists who should not have been in the United States.

Sources