Deportation of Brown University Doctor Raises Concerns Over Immigration Policies

Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese nephrology specialist, was deported despite holding a valid visa and a court order, igniting debates on national security, civil liberties, and healthcare impacts.

Dr. Rasha Alawieh was deported to Lebanon after U.S. officials found photos of Hezbollah leaders on her phone and learned she attended a funeral for the group's late leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
A federal judge issued an order to halt her deportation, but immigration officials claimed they received the notice after her removal had already occurred.
The deportation has sparked protests in Rhode Island, with colleagues and immigration advocates criticizing the decision and highlighting its impact on healthcare access for patients in need of specialized care.
Brown University has issued a travel warning to its international community, citing increased risks for visa holders under heightened immigration scrutiny.
The Trump administration defends the decision, citing national security concerns and asserting that visa holders with perceived ties to extremist groups are inadmissible to the U.S.