Brown Professor Rasha Alawieh Deported to Lebanon Despite Court Order

Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist and assistant professor at Brown University, was deported to Lebanon despite holding a valid H-1B visa and a federal court order that temporarily blocked her removal. Alawieh, detained upon her return to Boston's Logan Airport after visiting family, was reportedly sent back to Lebanon before customs officials received notice of the judge's order. The incident has sparked protests and raised serious concerns regarding the adherence to legal protocols by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with federal officials remaining silent on the reasons for her expulsion. Colleagues at Brown University have expressed outrage over the situation, highlighting the detrimental impact on both Alawieh's career and her patients. This deportation is part of a broader trend of immigration enforcement actions that have increasingly targeted academics and students, particularly from Middle Eastern backgrounds. The case is set to be reviewed in a federal court hearing as questions remain about the CBP's compliance with the judicial order.