US turns to secretive terror removal court for first hearing in three decades

Background of the court

US District Judge Joan Ericksen has been assigned to preside over the proceedings, according to court records. The case is being prosecuted by Matthew Farley of the Justice Department's National Security Division, signaling the high-level coordination the department has brought to the rare litigation.

Court filings describe the hearing as the first of its kind in the court's history. The Justice Department confirmed it is using the court's classified procedures, which are designed to handle sensitive evidence without compromising intelligence sources.

The case adds a new chapter to the Justice Department's evolving approach to terrorism-related immigration enforcement. Until now, the department has relied on standard immigration courts and federal criminal prosecutions for individuals it accuses of supporting extremist groups.

How the case will unfold

Legal observers have noted that the Alien Terrorist Removal Court operates under rules that allow for closed hearings and the use of classified evidence not shared with the defense. Those features have drawn scrutiny from civil liberties advocates, though the underlying statute has been on the books since 1996.

The Justice Department's decision to activate the court comes amid renewed focus on countering the Islamic State and on vetting migrants from regions where the group once held territory. The case against Haji Zada is the first public test of a rarely discussed legal tool.

What comes next

It remains unclear how long the proceedings will take or whether additional petitions will follow. The court has no backlog of pending cases, and observers say the outcome could shape how the government uses the specialized forum in future terrorism-related removals.

Haji Zada is being held in Texas, according to the Justice Department. Her legal team has not yet publicly responded to the allegations or to the choice of forum.