Zia M. Faruqui is an American federal magistrate judge who serves in Washington, D.C. He took the bench in September 2020 after spending twelve years as a federal prosecutor. The son of Pakistani immigrants, he grew up in Baltimore and has recently become one of the most talked-about judges in the country.
Zia Faruqui Wikipedia
Zia Faruqui is a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and his law degree from Georgetown University, finishing in 2001 and 2004.
Based on his graduation dates, he is believed to have been born in 1979. A few biography sites list his birthday as November 29, 1979, which would make him 46 years old in 2026. That date has not been confirmed by any official court source.
He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, as the son of immigrants from Pakistan. He is an American citizen with Pakistani American roots.
Today, he is best known for his work on cryptocurrency crime cases, his reentry and prison education programs, and his public clashes with the Justice Department during 2025 and 2026.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zia M. Faruqui |
| Nickname | Zia |
| Profession | U.S. Magistrate Judge, former federal prosecutor |
| Date of Birth | November 29, 1979 (reported) |
| Age | 46 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Ethnicity | Pakistani American (South Asian) |
| Known For | Serving as a D.C. federal magistrate judge and his high-profile rulings |
Zia Faruqui’s Height, Weight and Physical Appearance?
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | Around 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | Around 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Body Type | Average |
Zia Faruqui has never shared his height or weight in public. The numbers above are estimates based on photos of him at court events and public talks.
In most pictures, he looks like a man of average height with a fit, healthy build. He has dark brown eyes and short black hair.
He usually appears in his judicial robe inside the courtroom. At public events, he tends to wear a simple suit and tie, which fits his calm and professional image.
Zia Faruqui Career
After finishing law school, Faruqui started at a big private firm. He worked as a litigation associate at Willkie Farr in Washington, D.C., handling government investigations and general business cases.
He then moved into public service. He spent twelve years as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in St. Louis and Washington, D.C., working on cases tied to terrorist use of cryptocurrency, North Korean weapons programs, darknet child exploitation sites, and stolen antiquities.
His work included actions against websites that ISIS and Al Qaeda used to raise money in cryptocurrency. He also led the takedown of the largest darknet site ever built for child exploitation.
He was appointed a U.S. Magistrate Judge on September 14, 2020. Since then, he has handled hundreds of January 6th Capitol cases. He also issued notable opinions on applying U.S. sanctions to cryptocurrency, seizing a Russian oligarch’s superyacht, and forcing Facebook to hand over records linked to the Rohingya genocide.
Is he married? Who is Zia Faruqui’s Wife?
Yes, Zia Faruqui is a married man. He keeps his home life very private, so his wife’s name has not been made public.
Some reports say his wife is a doctor, and he once called her “Dr. Wife” in a social media post.
Like him, his wife comes from an immigrant family. On UN International Migrants Day, he posted a message honoring his parents and his in-laws for the courage it took to start over in America.
There are no confirmed public details about children. He has shared posts about a nephew, but he rarely talks about his personal life. Like most federal judges, he lets his work do the talking.
Zia Faruqui’s Net Worth 2026
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.5 million |
| 2024 | $1.7 million |
| 2025 | $1.9 million |
| 2026 | $2.1 million (current) |
Zia Faruqui’s estimated net worth in 2026 is around $2.1 million. This figure is an estimate, since judges do not share their full wealth publicly.
His main income comes from his job as a federal magistrate judge. Magistrate judges in the U.S. usually earn more than $200,000 a year.
Before joining the bench, he earned money at a large law firm and then drew a steady government salary for twelve years as a prosecutor. He has also taught law classes over the years. His wealth has grown slowly and steadily through a long career in public service, not through business deals or fame.
Family Background
Zia Faruqui comes from a hardworking immigrant family. He grew up in Baltimore as the son of Pakistani immigrants, and he has spoken openly about how his minority background shaped him.
His parents moved to the United States to build a better future. He often praises the sacrifices they made and credits them for his focus on education and public service.
The names of his parents and any siblings have not been shared publicly. What is clear is that family values, hard work, and a strong belief in second chances run deep in how he approaches life and law.
Major Events in Zia Faruqui’s Life
In 2001, he graduated from Georgetown University, and he earned his law degree there in 2004. He then joined Willkie Farr before becoming a federal prosecutor.
On September 14, 2020, he became a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Washington, D.C. In 2023, the Washington Council of Lawyers wrote a letter backing him for a possible seat as a full district judge.
In 2025, he refused to accept local indictments in at least seven cases during the federal crime crackdown in D.C. and said the U.S. Attorney’s office had “no credibility left.” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro hit back, saying he let politics shape his judgment.
In May 2026, he made national headlines when he apologized to Cole Allen, the man accused of trying to kill President Trump, over his treatment in the D.C. jail. Supporters praised his focus on due process, while critics said he went too far.
Lesser-Known Facts About Zia Faruqui
| Fun Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Teaching Work | Once taught as an adjunct professor at Harris-Stowe State University |
| Global Speaker | Represented the Justice Department at conferences worldwide |
| Reentry Court | Supervises a court that helps people after prison |
| Prison Coding Class | Supports a coding program for incarcerated people |
| Student Outreach | Leads youth programs at the D.C. courthouse |
| Community Role | Seen as a trailblazer in the Pakistani American community |
Outside the courtroom, Zia Faruqui is deeply involved in helping people get a fresh start. He oversees the Reentry Court, which connects high-risk people with support after their prison terms end, and he backs prison education programs, including a coding class taught by MIT.
He also loves working with young people. He and the Mikva Challenge led students through the Judiciary’s Candid Conversations program, which teaches teens about court careers and life skills.
In November 2024, he hosted a debate at the federal courthouse between incarcerated students and students from James Madison University.
During his prosecutor years, he traveled the world speaking for the Justice Department on financial crime, cryptocurrency, and national security. Many community groups also describe him as the first Pakistani American to serve as a magistrate judge in D.C.
Zia Faruqui Social Media
Zia Faruqui keeps a low profile online, which is normal for a sitting federal judge. He does not have a verified Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube account.
He has a professional LinkedIn profile under the name Zia Faruqui, where his judicial role is listed. It is not very active and mainly shows his work history.
Some reports say he has posted on X (formerly Twitter), including messages about International Migrants Day and his nephew, though he stays careful with his online presence. No official X handle has been confirmed. Most news about him comes from court records, the U.S. Courts website, and media coverage of his cases.
FAQs
1. How old is Zia Faruqui?
He is believed to be 46 years old in 2026, based on a reported birth date of November 29, 1979.
2. What is Zia Faruqui’s profession?
He is a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Columbia and a former federal prosecutor.
3. Is Zia Faruqui married?
Yes. He is married, and his wife is reported to be a doctor. He keeps her name private.
4. What is Zia Faruqui’s nationality?
He is an American citizen of Pakistani descent who grew up in Baltimore, Maryland.
5. How tall is Zia Faruqui?
His height is not officially public, but he is estimated to be around 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm).