The Deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh: Brown University Professor Removed Despite Legal Protections
Introduction
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, an assistant professor at Brown University’s medical school, was deported to Lebanon despite having a valid H-1B visa and a federal court order prohibiting her removal.
While recent reports mention a scheduled hearing regarding her case, there is no clear evidence in the available information that the hearing was canceled specifically due to attorneys withdrawing from the case.
Who is Dr. Rasha Alawieh?
Dr. Rasha Alawieh is a 34-year-old kidney transplant specialist who had been working at Brown Medicine, which is affiliated with Brown University. Her professional background includes:
Graduate of the American University of Beirut in 2015
Completed residency at American University of Beirut Medical Center in 2018
Held fellowships at multiple prestigious U.S. institutions, including Ohio State University, University of Washington, and the Yale-Waterbury Internal Medicine Program
Joined Brown Medicine as an assistant professor in July 2024
Possessed a valid H-1B visa sponsored by Brown Medicine that was set to remain valid until mid-2027
According to her colleagues, Dr. Alawieh held “a significant position as an assistant professor” at Brown Medicine, and her sudden removal left her department struggling to cover her responsibilities.
The Detention and Deportation Timeline
The sequence of events leading to Dr. Alawieh’s deportation unfolded rapidly
Initial Detention
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Dr. Alawieh arrived at Boston Logan International Airport after visiting family in Lebanon. Upon arrival, she was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials without explanation. She remained in detention for approximately 36 hours, during which time her phone was confiscated, leaving her unable to contact legal representation.
Legal Intervention
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Dr. Alawieh’s cousin, Yara Chehab, filed a habeas corpus petition in federal court on Friday, March 14.
That same day, U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin issued an order preventing CBP from deporting Dr. Alawieh without providing 48-hour notice to the court.
The judge also scheduled an in-person hearing for Monday, March 17, and specified that Dr. Alawieh should be brought to court.
Deportation Despite Court Order
Despite Judge Sorokin’s explicit order, CBP proceeded with Dr. Alawieh’s deportation. She was first flown to Paris and then placed on a connecting flight to Lebanon, arriving there on Sunday, March 16.
According to court filings, her legal team had even attempted to contact the airport control tower to prevent the flight’s departure, but they were informed that stopping the plane wasn’t possible.
Current Legal Proceedings
Judge Sorokin expressed serious concerns about CBP’s apparent disregard for his judicial order.
On Sunday, March 16, he demanded that the government provide a factual response by Monday morning regarding whether officials had “willfully disobeyed” his directive.
The judge also ordered the preservation of all communications and documents related to Dr. Alawieh’s arrival and removal.
The hearing was canceled because “the new lawyers need more time and because Alawieh was already sent back to Lebanon,” there is no definitive information confirming that attorneys formally withdrew from the case or that this was the specific reason for any cancellation!
Broader Context and Reactions
Dr. Alawieh’s deportation has occurred amid what some sources characterize as intensified immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
CBP has provided limited public explanations for its actions, stating only that “arriving aliens bear the burden of establishing admissibility to the United States”.
Thomas S. Brown, an attorney representing Brown Medicine, expressed bewilderment at the situation: “We are perplexed as to why this occurred. I cannot determine if this is a consequence of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, a travel ban, or some other factor”.
In response to the deportation, community members organized a rally at the Rhode Island State House to show support for Dr. Alawieh.
Conclusion
The deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh represents a complex case at the intersection of immigration policy, judicial authority, and academic freedom.
While much remains unclear about why a medical professional with valid documentation was denied entry to the United States, the case has raised significant questions about the relationship between executive immigration enforcement and judicial oversight.
As of March 17, 2025, the legal proceedings continue to unfold, with Judge Sorokin demanding explanations from government officials regarding their apparent disregard for his court order.
