An Afghan national involved in an ISIS-inspired mass shooting plot has been deported from the U.S. The Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) used the Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC) to remove Nazira Haji Zada, marking the first use of this court.

The ATRC was established nearly 30 years ago to allow the government to expel noncitizens suspected of terrorism. Congress set up the court to handle such cases with classified evidence. Although created for this purpose, it remained unused, earning the nickname ‘zombie court’ among legal experts.

The DOJ filed for a removal order targeting Zada, who was linked to a plot planned by her sons for Election Day 2024.

Chief Judge Joan Ericksen oversaw Zada’s case, resulting in her removal. Classified information was used to prove the case against Zada. She and her attorneys received significant documentation relating to the case. Her son and son-in-law had previously been arrested and convicted for their roles in the plot.

The ATRC’s involvement represents a new method for handling cases involving suspected terrorists. It bypasses typical immigration court procedures, which can often be prolonged and contentious.

FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the importance of this case in protecting U.S. national security, while Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin highlighted the administration’s commitment to using all means to prioritize American safety.

According to DOJ officials, the ATRC allows for swift action in terrorism-related deportation cases. This reduces potential delays from legal challenges in standard courts. Von Spakovsky, a legal expert, criticized past administrations for not using the ATRC, calling its use a powerful government tool.

The ATRC deals with cases where evidence cannot be public due to national security risks, instead providing respondents with an unclassified summary. This process addresses concerns about preserving national security while avoiding public exposure of sensitive information.

Attorney General Todd Blanche described this as a landmark case. He reiterated the importance of the ATRC in fulfilling legal obligations to protect U.S. citizens from terrorism threats.