Boston: A kidney transplant specialist at Brown University's medical school has been deported from the US despite holding a valid visa and a court order temporarily preventing her removal, according to her lawyer and legal filings, as reported by the New York Times.
According to Anadolu Agency, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a 34-year-old Lebanese citizen, had traveled to her home country to visit family. Upon her return to the US, she was detained, as documented in a court complaint filed by her cousin, Yara Chehab. Judge Leo T. Sorokin of the Federal District Court in Massachusetts had ruled that the government must notify the court 48 hours before proceeding with her deportation. However, she was still placed on a flight to Paris, presumably en route to Lebanon.
President Donald Trump has emphasized a crackdown on immigrants but stated a preference for allowing 'very competent people' into the country. The deportation of Alawieh, a medical professional legally residing in the US, appears to contradict Trump's policies.
Judge Sorokin later issued another order, suggesting that US Customs and Border Protection may have ignored his directive. He demanded the agency respond to these 'serious allegations.' Customs and Border Protection did not respond to inquiries regarding the reasons for Alawieh's detention and deportation. Notably, Lebanon is not on the draft list of countries targeted by the Trump administration for an entry ban.
A hearing on Alawieh's case is scheduled for Monday. Her attorney, Thomas Brown, stated that while in Lebanon, she was granted an H-1B visa, allowing highly skilled foreign nationals to work in the US. Brown Medicine, her employer, sponsored her visa application.
The complaint revealed that Alawieh was detained upon arriving at Boston Logan International Airport and held for 36 hours, with unclear reasons. Lawyer Clare Saunders informed Customs and Border Protection about the court order, but no action was taken before her flight to Paris.
Alawieh, a graduate of the American University of Beirut, completed fellowships and a residency in the US before obtaining her H-1B visa. Dr. George Bayliss of Brown Medicine expressed concern over the potential impact on the pipeline of skilled physicians and described Alawieh as 'a very talented, very thoughtful physician.'
In response, Brown University advised foreign students to consider delaying travel outside the US until further information from the US Department of State is available.