Updated: U.S. Deports Lebanese Doctor, Alleged Hezbollah Ties

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Updated: U.S. Deports Lebanese Doctor, Alleged Hezbollah Ties \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The U.S. deported Lebanese doctor Rasha Alawieh, citing her alleged support for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, despite her valid work visa and upcoming role at Brown University. A federal judge had issued an order to halt her removal, but officials claimed they were unaware until after her departure. Alawieh’s supporters and legal team are fighting to bring her back, arguing the deportation was unjust.

Lebanese Doctor’s Controversial Deportation: Quick Looks

Deportation Controversy: Dr. Rasha Alawieh was removed from the U.S. despite holding a valid work visa.
Homeland Security Allegations: Officials claim Alawieh “openly admitted” to supporting Hezbollah’s leader.
Court Order Ignored?: A federal judge ordered a halt to her removal, but she was deported anyway.
Upcoming Job at Brown: Alawieh was set to start work as an assistant professor.
Legal Battle Ongoing: Her lawyer vows to fight for her return to the U.S.
Sealed Court Records: Reports suggest Alawieh had photos of Hezbollah figures on her phone.
Protests Planned: Supporters are organizing a rally in Rhode Island.
Broader Crackdown: The deportation follows the removal of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil.

Deep Look

Homeland Security Defends Deportation, Citing Security Concerns

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended its weekend deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese kidney specialist, stating that she “openly admitted” to supporting a Hezbollah leader and attending his funeral.

Alawieh’s deportation, which came despite a federal judge’s order to delay her removal until a hearing, has sparked widespread concern, especially in the medical and academic communities. The 34-year-old doctor had obtained a U.S. visa on March 11 and was set to begin working at Brown University as an assistant professor of medicine.

In a statement posted on social media, DHS justified its decision:

“A visa is a privilege, not a right—glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be denied. This is commonsense security.”

Alawieh’s lawyer, Stephanie Marzouk, has vowed to fight for her return, arguing that she was wrongfully deported despite legal protections. Meanwhile, her deportation has triggered protests and legal scrutiny, as details surrounding her case remain partially sealed by the Justice Department.

Alawieh’s Deportation Sparks Legal and Public Outcry

Judge’s Order Ignored? Timeline of Events

March 11: Alawieh was granted a visa to work at Brown University.
Thursday: She arrived at Boston Logan International Airport and was detained for 36+ hours.
Friday: U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin issued an order delaying her deportation and scheduling a Monday hearing.
Saturday: Despite the judge’s order, Alawieh was deported to Lebanon.
Monday: Government lawyers claimed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers were not informed of the judge’s order until after she had departed.

In response, Alawieh’s cousin filed a motion, accusing immigration officials of “willfully disobeying” the court’s directive by proceeding with the deportation.

DHS Justification: Alleged Hezbollah Links

Government officials have cited alleged connections to Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, as the reason for her immediate removal.

Sealed court filings suggest that:

Alawieh had photos of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other fighters on her phone.
She claimed to follow Nasrallah for religious and spiritual teachings, not political or military reasons.
She deleted the photos before arriving in Boston, allegedly telling officers: “Because I didn’t want the perception. But I know I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m not related to anything politically or militarily.”

The Justice Department has sealed some court records related to her case, leaving many details unknown to the public.

Who Is Dr. Rasha Alawieh?

Alawieh is a highly trained kidney transplant specialist with extensive experience in the U.S. medical system.

She previously worked in Rhode Island before receiving her H-1B visa.
She has held fellowships and residencies at three U.S. universities.
She was set to join Brown University as an assistant professor of medicine.

A spokesperson for Brown University clarified that she was employed by Brown Medicine, an independent non-profit medical practice affiliated with the university’s medical school.

Medical Community Warns of Impact

Colleagues have expressed concern over her sudden deportation, noting its potential impact on patients in need of transplants.

Dr. Susie Hu: “She is one of three transplant nephrologists in Rhode Island. Her absence is really detrimental to our program.”
Dr. Douglas Shemin (Brown Medicine): “She’s an outstanding physician, a dedicated teacher, and we need her expertise.”

Brown Medicine currently has 300–400 patients waiting for kidney transplants, all requiring regular medical evaluations. With only two doctors now left to handle these cases, the sudden loss of Alawieh places added strain on the system.

Protests and Legal Action

Supporters gathered outside Boston’s federal courthouse on Monday and planned a rally at the Rhode Island Statehouse later in the evening.

Her lawyer, Stephanie Marzouk, has vowed to continue the legal battle to bring her back to the U.S., calling the situation a violation of her rights.

A Broader Crackdown? Deportations on the Rise

Alawieh’s deportation is part of a series of high-profile removals targeting visa holders and activists under the Trump administration’s policies.

Recent Deportation Cases

Mahmoud Khalil – A Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student, arrested for leading protests against the Gaza war. His visa was revoked, and he is currently detained in Louisiana.
El Salvador Deportations – Hundreds of immigrants were sent back despite a judge’s order temporarily barring their removal.

Khalil’s lawyers argue that his detention is politically motivated, stating in a court filing:

“Every noncitizen must wonder whether they will face retaliation for engaging in speech critical of the U.S. government.”

The Trump administration’s immigration policies have drawn criticism for targeting foreign nationals for deportation even when they hold valid visas, raising questions about due process and judicial oversight.

What Happens Next?

Key Legal Questions Surrounding Alawieh’s Case

Can she return? Her lawyer may push for a reinstatement of her visa if the court finds that immigration officials violated the judge’s order.
Will the government unseal more documents? Legal experts argue that transparency is needed to fully understand the reasons behind her removal.
Will this impact visa holders nationwide? If this deportation stands, it could set a precedent for other visa holders facing similar accusations.

Final Thoughts: A Controversial Deportation with Far-Reaching Implications

The sudden deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh has raised concerns about judicial authority, due process, and national security policies.

While DHS insists she was deported for legitimate security reasons, her colleagues, supporters, and legal representatives argue that she was wrongfully removed despite court protection.

As her case unfolds, it remains a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and national security in the U.S.