The United States Approach to Prosecution of Women Terrorists Who Joined the Islamic State

Abstract

In January 2012, the Secretary of State, in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), designated the Islamic State in Iraq Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Based on this, the United States could take administrative measures against foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) associated with IS, including women. As of January 2023, the United States had formally repatriated 39 citizens. At least 11 more citizens returned of their own accord outside of formal processes, including two women. To date, 11 adults affiliated with the Islamic State, formally repatriated from Syria and Iraq to the United States, have faced charges for terrorism-related crimes. The aim of this research is to characterize the approach to female terrorist returnees in the United States. The following research problem is central to this article: How does the United States deal with the prosecution and conviction of women returnees involved in the activities of the Islamic State? The author focused research on case studies. Research methods include: analysis, synthe-sis, classification, generalization, and statistical data analysis. Women who are left on their own and remain in camps and prisons in Iraq and Syria can impose the ideology of the Islamic State on others, including their children. It is important not to treat the problem of repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of camp residents shortsightedly and to take a long-term solution.