Detention of Lebanese Doctor Highlights Visa Issues in U.S.

Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese kidney transplant specialist hired by Brown University, was detained at Boston Logan Airport despite holding a valid work visa. DHS has not explained her detention, raising concerns within the university and among her colleagues. A U.S. court had ordered that she could not be deported without notice, but reports indicate DHS may have violated this order by deporting her. A hearing is set for Monday morning.

Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese doctor hired to teach medicine at Brown University, was detained upon her arrival at Boston’s Logan International Airport on March 13. She possessed a valid H1B work visa issued just two days prior. Alawieh, a specialist in kidney transplants, previously completed training at the University of Washington and Yale University, further highlighting her qualifications.

The legal filing indicated that her detention has caused significant concern within Brown University’s Division of Nephrology, stating that her colleagues are struggling to fulfill her responsibilities in her absence. The document emphasized Alawieh’s vital role, describing her as an outstanding academic in the field of Transplant Nephrology.

Despite inquiries from ABC News, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided no explanation for Dr. Alawieh’s detention, nor did Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comment on her current status. Hilton Beckham, CBP’s Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs, remarked that arriving individuals must prove their admissibility, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to national security.

A U.S. district court judge in Massachusetts instructed DHS not to deport Alawieh without prior notice. However, reports suggest DHS may have ignored this order by deporting her to France, with plans to proceed to Lebanon. Confirmation of this deportation remains unclear, and a next hearing is scheduled for Monday morning.

This incident raises pressing concerns regarding the detention of visa-holding professionals and the accompanying legal implications. The lack of transparency from DHS regarding Dr. Alawieh’s case and the subsequent actions taken against her—which seem to disregard judicial orders—merit serious attention. The academic community is advocating for her return, underscoring the importance of her role in medicine at Brown University.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com