Federal judge orders Trump administration to explain deportation of Brown University doctor
- Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a professor at Brown University, was deported from the U.S. to Lebanon despite possessing a valid H-1B visa.
- A federal court had ordered the government to provide 48 hours' notice before any deportation, which was violated in her case.
- The incident has led to public outrage and raised concerns about immigration enforcement practices and the rule of law.
In the United States, a significant incident occurred surrounding Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist and assistant professor at Brown University, who was deported to Lebanon after returning from a trip. Upon her arrival at Boston Logan International Airport, she was detained for 36 hours and subsequently expelled despite holding a valid H-1B visa and a court order that mandated the government provide 48 hours' notice before any deportation. This court order was issued by U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin of Massachusetts on March 13, 2025. Dr. Alawieh traveled to Lebanon for a family visit in February and had received her visa approval from the U.S. consulate shortly before her return. Her legal team claims that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ignored the judge's order and removed her unlawfully. The court document also mentioned that she was denied access to legal counsel while being detained, which raised concerns regarding her treatment and the due process of law. Following her deportation, a petition was filed by her cousin, Yara Chehab, highlighting the alleged violation of the court order. The decision to deport Dr. Alawieh has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the broader implications of immigration enforcement practices under the Trump administration. Criticisms from advocacy groups, such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations, have emerged, suggesting that the deportation undermines the rule of law and contributes to a climate of fear among immigrants. Immigration attorneys and legal observers are now closely monitoring the situation, waiting for a response from the Trump administration as per the judge's order to provide clarification. The cancellation of the scheduled hearing on March 16, 2025, created further tension, as it drew attention to the communication breakdown within immigration enforcement agencies. Judge Sorokin later clarified that the CBP officers at the airport did not receive notice of his recent order until after Dr. Alawieh had already left the United States. This incident not only affects Dr. Alawieh's immediate situation but also brings forth significant concerns about the treatment of immigrants and the adherence to legal proceedings by immigration enforcement agencies in the U.S.