In a controversial move, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Rhode Island doctor and assistant professor at Brown University's medical school, has been deported to Lebanon. This action took place despite a federal judge's order that explicitly blocked her immediate removal from the United States, as outlined in recent court documents.
The expulsion of Dr. Alawieh, 34, is now the subject of a critical hearing scheduled for Monday before U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston. Judge Sorokin, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, has demanded clarity on whether U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) willfully ignored his judicial order. This situation raises serious questions about the adherence to legal protocols by federal agencies.
Judge Sorokin has received a comprehensive timeline of events from Dr. Alawieh's legal team, highlighting potential violations of his order. The specific reasons for her removal have not been disclosed by CBP. However, the timing of her deportation coincides with the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to enforce stricter immigration policies and increase border security.
Dr. Alawieh has held a visa to reside in the United States since 2018. Initially, she completed a two-year fellowship at Ohio State University, followed by further training at the University of Washington, and ultimately graduated from the Yale-Waterbury Internal Medicine Program in June. While in Lebanon, she was issued an H-1B visa, which is designed for individuals in specialty occupations, allowing her to work at Brown University.
Despite her valid visa, Dr. Alawieh was detained at the airport upon her return to the United States, with her family still unclear about the reasons for her detention. The lawsuit filed on her behalf argues that her rights have been violated throughout this process. In a swift response to the legal action, Judge Sorokin issued an order on Friday barring Alawieh's removal from Massachusetts without providing 48 hours' notice to the court. He also mandated that she be brought to a court hearing on Monday.
Following Judge Sorokin's order, Dr. Alawieh was reportedly flown to Paris, with plans to board a flight to Lebanon scheduled for Sunday. In light of these developments, the judge has instructed the government to present a legal and factual response by Monday morning, ahead of the hearing, and to preserve all communications and documents related to her case.
This case adds to growing concerns regarding the Trump administration's compliance with court rulings. Recently, the administration deported hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador under rarely used wartime powers, even after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against such actions.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights the critical intersection of immigration policy, legal oversight, and the rights of individuals navigating the complex landscape of U.S. immigration laws.
