Dr. Rasha Alawieh Deported Amid Ongoing Legal Battle and Controversy Over Hezbollah Support
Dr. Rasha Alawieh faces deportation after admitting Hezbollah leader admiration, prompting widespread concern over U.S. immigration policies regarding politically active visa holders.
Overview
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanon-born kidney specialist and recent Brown University hire, was deported despite holding a valid H-1B visa, following allegations she attended Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's funeral and had photos supporting him on her phone. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials deemed her inadmissible due to these associations. A federal judge had ordered a hearing to halt her deportation, but customs officials claimed they weren't notified in time. Alawieh's deportation raises alarms regarding U.S. immigration practices targeting politically active individuals, as her colleagues rally for her return, emphasizing her critical role in Rhode Island's transplant program.
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Analysis
- Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a specialized kidney doctor with Brown Medicine, was deported last week despite having a valid visa and a court order blocking her removal, raising concerns about legal protocols surrounding deportations.
- Customs officials found 'sympathetic' photos of Hezbollah leaders on Alawieh's phone, which led to her deportation. However, her colleagues assert that she never discussed politics and was a dedicated medical professional.
- The incident sparked outrage among her colleagues and representatives, who are demanding accountability from Homeland Security regarding the handling of Alawieh's case.
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Dr. Alawieh was deported due to 'sympathetic photos and videos' of Hezbollah leaders found on her phone and her attendance at a Hezbollah leader's funeral, which raised concerns about her true intentions in the U.S.
According to the government, CBP officials at Boston's Logan Airport did not receive formal notification of the court order in time, leading to Dr. Alawieh's deportation. However, her lawyers claim that customs officials 'willfully' disobeyed the order.
Dr. Alawieh's legal team is seeking to postpone a hearing due to changes in her legal representation. She intends to seek a return to the U.S. at the earliest opportunity.
Dr. Alawieh's deportation has left her responsibilities at Brown University uncovered, with her colleagues covering her duties temporarily. Her absence is seen as a significant loss to the transplant program.
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