News Summary
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a nephrology professor at Brown University, was deported to Lebanon despite a federal court order halting her removal. Dr. Alawieh, who has been providing critical kidney care in the U.S., faced immigration challenges after attending a funeral in Lebanon. Her sudden deportation has sparked outrage among colleagues and advocates, raising concerns about patient care and due process violations. As protests arise and her legal team prepares to challenge the deportation in court, the controversy highlights deeper systemic issues within immigration processes.
Rhode Island Doctor Deported Despite Court Order
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a 34-year-old assistant professor in nephrology at Brown University, has been deported to Lebanon over the weekend, even though a federal court ordered her removal to be halted. This controversial incident has raised concerns among her colleagues, patients, and immigration advocates.
Dr. Alawieh, who was working in the U.S. under a valid H-1B visa, which was approved shortly after her application was filed, had been providing care in the field of transplant nephrology. She arrived in the United States in 2018 after completing her medical degree at the American University of Beirut and subsequently engaged in medical training programs at various prestigious institutions, including The Ohio State University, the University of Washington, and Yale University.
She began her role at Brown Medicine in June 2024, where she was known for her dedication to treating patients with kidney diseases and specializing in transplant nephrology. However, her immigration troubles began in February when she traveled to Lebanon. Upon attempting to return, she faced delays caused by enhanced vetting processes for Lebanese nationals.
Complicating her situation further, Dr. Alawieh attended a public funeral for Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, during her visit to Lebanon. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials reported that her deportation was influenced by the discovery of photos of Nasrallah and Iran’s Supreme Leader on her phone, alongside her admission of support for Nasrallah. This raised immediate concerns, given that Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
After being detained at Logan International Airport, a legal complaint was filed on behalf of Dr. Alawieh by her cousin, Yara Chehab, alleging that she was denied due process during the legal proceedings. Following this, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin issued an order on Friday prohibiting her deportation without proper notice. Nevertheless, Dr. Alawieh was deported the same day, with CBP not receiving notification of the court order until after her removal had already taken place.
The rapid and secretive nature of her deportation has sparked outrage among immigration advocates, healthcare professionals, and members of the community. Critics argue that Dr. Alawieh’s absence will significantly hinder the treatment of her patients, particularly those in need of complex kidney transplants, and undermine her ability to practice medicine. Key colleagues at Brown Medicine, including Dr. Douglas Shemin and Dr. Susie Hu, expressed deep concerns about the detrimental impacts of her deportation on the state’s medical services.
Furthermore, a protest at the Rhode Island State House highlighted the community’s demand for Dr. Alawieh’s return, underlining her importance to the healthcare system. Supporters have rallied to amplify her plight, emphasizing that her skills are critical to a patient population that is already vulnerable, especially those requiring special attention in transplant procedures.
The White House also addressed the situation, sharing a social media post of Dr. Alawieh with a past image of President Trump, stating “Bye-bye, Rasha.” This reaction further fueled the discourse surrounding her deportation.
Currently, Dr. Alawieh’s legal team is preparing to challenge her deportation in court, focusing on the potential procedural violations that have occurred. However, the legal complexities have deepened, as some attorneys withdrew from her case after her deportation, and a court hearing concerning her situation was subsequently canceled. This may pose additional challenges in resolving the legal battle surrounding her right to remain in the U.S. and practice medicine.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CNN
- Wikipedia: Deportation in the United States
- Providence Journal
- Google Search: Dr. Rasha Alawieh
- New York Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration law
- Brown Daily Herald
- Google News: Rasha Alawieh deportation
