US Justice Department Secures First-of-its-Kind Deportation Order in Secretive Court Case

The U.S. Justice Department has announced a landmark deportation, utilizing the previously dormant Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC) for the first time since its creation in 1996. The individual deported is Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old Afghan permanent resident residing in Texas, accused of being an "alien terrorist." Haji Zada opted for removal from the United States rather than challenging her case in the secretive court, which permits the use of classified evidence not fully disclosed to the defendant. This case marks a significant step in national security enforcement, though it has raised concerns regarding due process.

Concurrently, six Nigerian nationals are being extradited from South Africa to the U.S. to face charges related to an extensive $6 million online romance scam. These individuals, arrested in Cape Town in 2021, are alleged members of the "Black Axe" criminal network, known for its involvement in various cyber-enabled financial frauds.

The alleged scammers reportedly targeted over 100 American women, including pensioners and business professionals, deceiving them through elaborate online relationships. They are now set to face wire fraud and money laundering charges in the U.S.