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🇮🇱 Israel /Crime & Justice

Secretive US court meant to deport alleged terrorists hears first case

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The U.S. convened its first hearing in a secretive court established 30 years ago to deport suspected terrorists, using classified evidence.
  • The hearing involved Nazira Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident accused of supporting ISIS and concealing a mass shooting plot, whose lawyer argued the process violates due process.
  • Prosecutors claim much of the evidence against Zada is classified for national security reasons, preventing public disclosure.

A secretive U.S. court, established three decades ago to facilitate the deportation of suspected terrorists, convened for its first hearing on Thursday. This marks a new phase in the Trump administration's strategy to remove non-citizens accused of posing national security threats and expands the president's immigration agenda.

This entire scheme is in violation of due process and unconstitutional. This is a runaround to bringing a criminal case.

— Matthew FarleyNazira Haji Zada's attorney argued against the legality and constitutionality of the court proceedings.

The hearing focused on Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old lawful permanent resident accused of supporting the Islamic State (ISIS) and aiding in the concealment of a failed mass shooting plot during the 2024 Election Day. Prosecutors contend that a significant portion of the evidence against Zada cannot be publicly disclosed due to its classified nature.

Zada's attorney, Matthew Farley, argued during the hearing that the entire process, which allows the government to use classified evidence in deportation cases, violates due process protections and is unconstitutional. He urged the court's chief judge, Joan Ericksen, to dismiss the case and release his client immediately, but the request was denied. Zada has not been charged with any crimes, though her son and son-in-law have pleaded guilty to related charges.

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.

— Todd BlancheActing Attorney General Todd Blanche described the nature of the accusations against Nazira Haji Zada.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the allegations involve the "matriarch of an ISIS-sympathizing family aiding in a plot to launch a mass casualty attack on American voters." The Justice Department's unclassified summary alleges Zada indoctrinated her children with "ISIS ideology" and concealed her family's radicalization and plans to move to ISIS territory. The FBI cited national security concerns, including the potential compromise of sources and methods, as reasons for classifying the information.

The underlying information is classified because disclosure would enable terrorists and terrorist organizations to avoid preventative or detection measures or would reveal FBI or other US Intelligence Community sources.

— FBIAn FBI memo explained the rationale behind classifying the evidence in the case.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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