Nusrat Chowdhury becomes The First Muslim Female Federal Judge in US History

Nusrat Chowdhury becomes The First Muslim Female Federal Judge in US History

Nusrat Chowdhury

Nusrat Chowdhury, a prominent civil rights attorney, has made history as the first Muslim woman to become a federal judge in the United States. Following a Senate confirmation vote of 50-49, Chowdhury will serve on the Brooklyn federal court for the remainder of her lifetime.

Chowdhury’s confirmation has garnered praise from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), where she has served as the legal director of the ACLU of Illinois. Her exceptional record and contributions to civil rights advocacy, including her previous role as deputy director of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program at the national level, have been recognized by the organization.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who recommended Chowdhury’s nomination, expressed pride in her groundbreaking achievement. As the first Bangladeshi American and Muslim American woman to assume a federal judge position, Chowdhury’s unwavering dedication to upholding justice and equality has been hailed.

Not all senators supported Chowdhury’s confirmation, however, as she faced opposition from Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Senator Manchin cited Chowdhury’s stance on criminal justice reform as the reason for voting against her confirmation, expressing concerns about her ability to maintain impartiality towards law enforcement.

Throughout her legal career, Chowdhury has gained valuable experience, having served as a clerk for United States Magistrate Denise L. Cote and 2nd Appellate Court Judge Barrington Parker. In addition, she has made significant contributions by serving on the Presidential Task Force on Building Public Trust in the American Justice System and the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Chowdhury’s appointment has prompted President Biden to reaffirm his commitment to promoting diversity in judicial nominations. This commitment was previously demonstrated with the confirmation of Zahid Quraishi as the country’s first federal Muslim judge two years ago, reflecting the administration’s dedication to fostering diversity within the judiciary.