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WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s activation of a long-dormant court to seek an Afghan woman’s deportation violates her constitutional rights, a defense lawyer argued Thursday at a hearing for the first case to be heard in the obscure court since its creation 30 years ago.

Attorney Matthew Farley urged the chief judge of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court to dismiss the case against Nazira Haji Zada and immediately release his client. Judge Joan Ericksen denied Farley’s requests but said Zada’s lawyers can renew them as the case proceeds in the nation’s capital.

“This entire scheme is in violation of due process and unconstitutional,” said Farley, an assistant federal public defender.

The court, established in 1996, had never received a petition until this month, when the Justice Department filed an application seeking Zada’s removal. The court has a specific authority to conduct deportation proceedings for individuals whom the Department of Justice classifies as “alien terrorists.”

FBI agents arrested her Tuesday at her Fort Worth home. She is not charged with any crimes.

An FBI memo dated July 15 said it “developed information” that she is an Islamic State supporter who had her children pledge their loyalty to the terrorist group. The memo says she “supported” a plot by relatives to carry out an ISIS-inspired attack in the United States.

Court filings identify her as the mother and mother-in-law of two Afghan men who were convicted in Oklahoma for their roles in the 2024 election day plot. Her son, Abdullah Haji Zada, was sentenced in November to 15 years in prison and court records show he previously agreed to be removed from the U.S. after his release.

Kunzelman and Tucker write for the Associated Press.

The wheels can come off too

A holiday expert has posted a video testing a £25 suitcase from Primark against Ryanair cabin size rules – which have just been updated.

Not only is the suitcase a great price, but its wheels can be removed to help it meet the requirements. Ryanair is one of the most popular airlines in the UK, offering cheap flights to a number of destinations. Its bag rules state: “All fares include one small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) that must fit under the seat.”

Talking about the free bag, it adds that the small personal bag “such as a handbag or laptop bag” must adhere to its measurements and “fit under the seat in front of you. If you need additional baggage allowance, there are various options available to you.”

It adds: “Additional options include Priority boarding with a second 10kg cabin bag, checked bags of 10kg, 20kg (up to 3), or 23kg (1 allowed). Infants have no cabin allowance but may bring a 5kg baby bag and two baby equipment items free.”

Focusing on the small personal bag size, and creating five TikTok videos on the bag alone, Chelsea Dickenson, who has appeared on shows like This Morning to share her tips, said she loves the suitcase and is “genuinely impressed with the quality for something that’s fairly affordable.”

Trying to fit the case into the bag size checker, she showed that it didn’t fit. That was until she took off the wheels.

It also remained below the red line, suggesting it met the airline’s standards, and thankfully, she got through security with no issues. Not only does it meet pre-boarding size requirements, but she also demonstrates that it fits neatly under the seat, describing it as “super slim.”

And if you’re wondering where you pop the wheels, she reveals: “It comes with a cloth bag that you can pop the wheels into. These are best put in your pocket – so remember to wear something with pockets big enough! Otherwise, you could pop it back in the suitcase.”

But be careful. In one of her videos on the £25 bag, she says she ended up losing a wheel and advises others to ensure the wheels click securely back into place when reattaching them.

What happens at the boarding gate if my cabin bags are bigger than my allowance?

Ryanair state: “You must adhere strictly to the baggage allowance on your booking. If your small bag or 10kg cabin bag does not fit in the baggage sizers, it will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available, placed in the hold of the aircraft for a fee at the level set out in our Regulations.

“You will be required to leave your bags at the aircraft steps, in the gate bag trolley, or as directed by Ryanair agents, for stowage in the hold.”

READ MORE: Ryanair cabin bag rules to change and it’s good news for passengers