Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese kidney transplant specialist with a valid work visa, was detained at Boston Logan Airport en route to teaching at Brown University. Legal filings reveal distress from her colleagues, and DHS provided no reason for her detainment. Despite a court order preventing her deportation without notice, DHS allegedly deported her to France, prompting a scheduled hearing.
On March 13, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese doctor hired to teach medicine at Brown University, was detained at Boston’s Logan International Airport despite possessing a valid H1B work visa issued on March 11. Dr. Alawieh is a kidney transplant specialist with training from the University of Washington and Yale University.
The legal documents reveal that the Division of Nephrology at Brown expressed significant distress over her detention, noting, “She is an assistant professor and has serious responsibilities.” Colleagues have assumed her duties temporarily, but the department emphasizes that Dr. Alawieh’s expertise in Transplant Nephrology is essential.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided no reasons for her detainment, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) declined to disclose her whereabouts or the rationale behind her entry denial. Hilton Beckham, CBP’s Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs, remarked that it is the responsibility of arriving aliens to demonstrate their admissibility.
Moreover, a U.S. district court judge mandated that Dr. Alawieh must not be deported without a 48-hour notice from the DHS. Contrary to this order, it appears that DHS “willfully” disregarded it and proceeded to deport her to France, with plans for further travel to Lebanon. Details regarding whether this deportation occurred as intended remain unverified.
A subsequent hearing regarding Dr. Alawieh’s case is scheduled for Monday morning.
The case of Dr. Rasha Alawieh underscores critical issues surrounding immigration policies and the treatment of skilled professionals in the United States. Despite holding a valid work visa, she was detained without explanation, raising concerns about due process. The events surrounding her potential deportation highlight the urgent need for clarity and accountability in the U.S. immigration system.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
