Marking a historic moment, the Senate has confirmed Nusrat Choudhury as the first Muslim woman to serve as a federal judge in the United States. This landmark decision, reached after a 50-49 vote largely along party lines, places Choudhury in a lifetime appointment at the Brooklyn federal court in New York.

A seasoned civil rights lawyer, Choudhury's career has been dedicated to advocating for justice and equality. She currently serves as the legal director of the ACLU of Illinois and previously spent over a decade at the national ACLU office, including a significant tenure as deputy director of the ACLU Racial Justice Program. The ACLU celebrated her confirmation, hailing her as a “trailblazing civil rights lawyer.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who recommended Choudhury for the position, emphasized the historical significance of her appointment, noting she is also the first Bangladeshi American woman to hold a federal judgeship. Schumer praised Choudhury as a “shining example of the American Dream,” highlighting her upbringing as the daughter of immigrants and her impressive academic credentials, which include degrees from Columbia, Princeton, and Yale Law School.

While Choudhury's confirmation garnered widespread support, Senator Joe Manchin voiced his opposition, citing concerns about her stance on criminal justice reform and potential bias against law enforcement. Manchin's dissenting vote underscored the ongoing debate surrounding judicial appointments and the balance between experience and perspective.

Following her law school graduation, Choudhury gained valuable experience clerking for prominent judges in New York City, including U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote and 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Barrington Parker Jr. Her commitment to public service is further evidenced by her participation in the Presidential Task Force on Building Public Trust in the American Justice System.

Choudhury’s appointment aligns with President Biden's commitment to diversifying judicial nominations, reflecting a broader effort to ensure the judiciary represents the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American population. This appointment follows the confirmation of Zahid Quraishi two years prior, who became the nation’s first federal Muslim judge, serving in New Jersey.