News Summary
A federal judge is investigating the deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, an assistant professor at Brown Medicine, who was removed to Lebanon despite holding a valid H-1B visa. Detained at Boston Logan International Airport for 36 hours, her deportation raised legal and procedural questions, including violation of a court order. The case has sparked debates on immigration enforcement and individual rights within the U.S. legal system.
Boston, MA — Federal Judge Investigates Deportation of Brown Medicine Doctor Rasha Alawieh Despite Legal Hold
A federal judge is currently examining the circumstances surrounding the deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, an assistant professor at Brown Medicine, who was removed from the United States to Lebanon amid questions over her legal rights and detention procedures.
Summary of Events
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, who holds a valid H-1B visa essential for her work and residency in the United States, was detained at Boston Logan International Airport after returning from a family visit to Lebanon. Following her detention, she was held for approximately 36 hours before being deported to Lebanon, despite a prior court order intended to prevent such action.
The deportation occurred after Alawieh was placed on a flight to Paris, carried out by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials. A federal judge, Leo Sorokin, had previously issued a ruling mandating that Alawieh could not be deported without at least 48 hours’ advance notice to the court. However, government lawyers argue that CBP officials did not receive such notice before she was placed on the plane, raising concerns about possible legal violations.
Legal Proceedings and Court Order
The case gained additional urgency after a legal representative for Alawieh, her cousin, filed a habeas corpus petition that called for her immediate release and challenged her deportation. The petition prompted a court hearing, which was scheduled to review the legality of her detention and deportation. Just before her departure, the court issued an order requiring the government to provide notice and allow for her appearance before a judge.
The hearing was postponed when Alawieh’s legal team requested additional time to prepare, citing recent changes in her legal representation. The judge has set new deadlines for the government to respond to allegations that it violated the court’s instructions, with responses expected by March 24 and further replies by March 31.
Alawieh’s Background and Immigration Status
Dr. Rasha Alawieh has resided and worked in the United States for several years. She completed her nephrology fellowship in 2020 and has contributed significantly to research on kidney disease. Her professional ties to U.S. healthcare institutions include research projects and academic appointments at Brown University’s medical school. She is recognized for her work in medicine and nephrology, having earned advanced training at prominent institutions.
Allegations and Government Justification
Customs and Border Protection officials reported that they found “sympathetic photos and videos” of Hezbollah figures on Alawieh’s phone, which they cited as grounds for her removal. During her detention, Alawieh acknowledged attending the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah while in Lebanon but asserted her ties were solely religious, not political, and denied any wrongdoing.
U.S. authorities questioned Alawieh about her connections to Hezbollah, leading to concerns about her intentions in the United States. However, her legal team and supporters argue that her detention and deportation were mishandled and possibly illegal, pointing to her lawful visa status and the court order designed to prevent her removal without proper notice.
Reactions and Ongoing Developments
The incident has prompted protests and criticism from colleagues, human rights advocates, and community members who believe her legal rights may have been violated. The case has sparked broader discussions about immigration enforcement procedures and the rights of foreign-born professionals living in the U.S.
The government maintains that CBP’s mandate is to prevent entry to individuals associated with terrorist organizations and that possessing a visa does not guarantee automatic entry into the country. The ongoing investigation by the federal court will determine whether her deportation was legally justified or damaged by procedural errors.
Next Steps
As the legal process continues, the focus remains on the government’s compliance with the court’s prior orders and the validity of its actions in Alawieh’s case. The court will review whether her detention and deportation violated her rights and whether she should be reinstated or allowed to return to the U.S. to continue her work and research.
This case highlights the complex intersection of immigration law, national security concerns, and individual rights, with a federal judge set to provide a resolution in the coming weeks.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Los Angeles High School Sports Disrupted by ICE Raids
Andrea Pleimling Smith Appointed Co-Managing Partner at Law Firm
Additional Resources
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: Deportation in the United States
- Patriot Ledger
- Google Search: Rasha Alawieh
- CNN
- Google Scholar: Rasha Alawieh
- Politico
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration Law
- Brown Daily Herald
- Google News: Rasha Alawieh Deportation
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
