Nusrat Choudhury, a civil rights lawyer, has made history as the first Muslim female federal judge in the United States. Following a partisan 50-49 vote on Thursday, the Senate confirmed her appointment, and she will now serve as a federal judge in Brooklyn federal court in New York for a lifetime tenure.
This significant achievement has garnered praise from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), where she currently holds the position of legal director at the ACLU of Illinois. Prior to her role in Illinois, she dedicated her service to the national ACLU office from 2008 to 2020, including a seven-year tenure as deputy director of the ACLU Racial Justice Program.
Nusrat Choudhury’s accomplishments extend beyond her legal career. She actively participated in the Presidential Task Force on Building Public Trust in the American Justice System, demonstrating her commitment to promoting fairness and trust within the legal system. Her appointment aligns with President Joe Biden’s commitment to prioritizing diversity in background, race, and gender among his judicial nominations.
It is worth noting that two years ago, the Senate confirmed Zahid Quraishi as the first federal Muslim judge in the country. He serves as a district court judge in New Jersey. Zahid Quraishi’s journey in the legal profession began on September 11, 2001, when he started working at a New York law firm. He later joined the Army’s legal arm and completed two deployments in Iraq. His appointment was a significant milestone, just as Nusrat Choudhury’s confirmation is now.
