A legal case is unfolding after federal officials deported a Rhode Island doctor in what many believe may have gone against a judge’s order. The case involves Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney specialist with Brown Medicine, who was sent back to Lebanon just days ago.
On Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials were ordered to appear in court to explain whether they ignored a federal judge’s instruction not to deport the doctor until her case was reviewed.
What Led to Dr. Alawieh’s Detention?
According to court documents, the incident started when Dr. Alawieh landed at Logan Airport in Boston. CBP officers reportedly found content on her cellphone that raised concerns. Officials said they found photos and videos showing figures linked to Hezbollah. Some of the images were reportedly in a deleted folder, which further raised questions about her travel intent.
CBP officials stated that, based on this discovery, they could not determine her true purpose in the U.S. and decided to cancel her visa and mark her as inadmissible.
Despite Court Order, Doctor Was Deported
Before the deportation happened, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin issued an order saying that Alawieh should not be deported without first notifying the court 48 hours in advance. Still, by Friday evening, Alawieh was on a flight to Paris and then continued to Lebanon, arriving on Sunday.
This move sparked a wave of criticism and raised serious legal questions about whether federal officials ignored the court’s ruling.
CBP Responds to Growing Outcry
For the first time since the case became public, CBP responded on Sunday. Hilton Beckham, a CBP public affairs official, said officers follow strict protocols to protect national security.
“Arriving individuals must prove they are eligible to enter the U.S.,” Beckham said. “Our officers work carefully and responsibly to keep threats out of the country.”
Alawieh Held a Valid Work Visa
Dr. Alawieh was working in the U.S. under an H-1B visa, a permit given to skilled professionals in specialized fields. Immigration attorney Thomas Brown confirmed that she had recently secured this visa from the U.S. consulate in Lebanon.
She had been working in Rhode Island since July, focusing on evaluating and supporting kidney transplant patients. Dr. George Bayliss, her colleague at Brown Medicine, praised her work and confirmed that she was a trusted member of the medical team.
Lawsuit Filed Over Detention
Alawieh’s cousin, Yara Chehab, filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts court, accusing federal officials of holding Alawieh without proper legal process and denying her access to an attorney.
Her lawyers later added that CBP officials received the court’s order and still went ahead with the deportation. They claim this was a deliberate act that violated the judge’s instructions.
Judge Sorokin Demands Accountability
Judge Sorokin issued another order Sunday, stating that the government must provide a full legal and factual explanation about what happened. He requested their written response by Monday morning before a scheduled hearing later that day at the federal courthouse in Boston.
Public Support Grows for Alawieh
The case has drawn attention beyond legal circles. Many of Alawieh’s supporters plan to hold a protest outside the State House on Monday evening. They say the case highlights deeper concerns about how immigration laws are being enforced under the current administration.
Deportations Stir National Debate
Dr. Alawieh’s case is not the only one raising questions. Reports continue to surface about others with visas and green cards being denied entry or removed from the country under new policies.
As the debate over immigration policies and due process grows, many are watching to see what happens next in the courtroom... and what it means for future cases involving international professionals working in the U.S.
Keywords: Rasha Alawieh deportation, Brown University doctor, immigration court hearing, CBP visa cancellation, H1B visa deportation, U.S. immigration policy, Boston federal court