# A secret court just deported its first person

> A court built in 1996 and never used until now sent an Afghan grandmother out of the country on evidence her lawyers were never allowed to see.
- Title: A secret court just deported its first person · NPR | Shortify
- Summary: A court built in 1996 and never used until now sent an Afghan grandmother out of the country on evidence her lawyers were never allowed to see. The Alien…
- Keywords: deportation, national security, due process, isis, justice department, news, secret, court, just, deported, first, person
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/09/12/nx-s1-5967476/alien-removal-court-deportation-afganistan
- Published: 2026-09-12T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: deportation, national security, due process, isis, justice department, news
## A dormant court wakes up
For the first time ever, the Justice Department used the Alien Terrorist Removal Court to strip a lawful US resident of her status and send her to Afghanistan.
## Who she is
Nazira Haji Zada, 47, came to the US as a lawful permanent resident in 2018. Her husband worked at Bagram Air Base from 2009 to 2016.
## The alleged plot
Prosecutors said she backed a plan by her son and son-in-law for an ISIS-inspired mass shooting on Election Day 2024. Her son got 15 years; her son-in-law pled guilty to two terrorism charges.
## Civil case, not criminal
Rather than charge her with a crime, DOJ opened civil proceedings in the secretive court, where the standard of proof for removal is lower.
## Built in 1996, unused until now
Congress created the court so the government could deport people using classified evidence it says would endanger national security if disclosed.
## She conceded, under protest
On Aug. 20 she waived her right to fight the detention and agreed to leave. Judge Joan Ericksen ordered her removal the same day. Her admission cannot be used in a criminal case.

> should not be seen as an endorsement of this court's legitimacy
## Lawyers never saw the evidence
Her court-appointed attorneys say they were barred from reviewing the classified material against her, and predict the court will be struck down once a judge rules on it.

> Dragging lawful permanent residents into court but refusing to show them or their attorneys the evidence that will be used against them is a plain violation of due process.
## DOJ calls it a template
Attorney General Todd Blanche approved the application himself and framed the outcome as proof the department will reach for any available tool.

> This landmark case, resulting in the prompt removal of this alien terrorist to her country of origin, is a win for national security and the rule of law.
## Key takeaway

The Alien Terrorist Removal Court has moved from dormant statute to working tool, and it can deport a green card holder on classified evidence the defense never sees.