A physician who was set to teach medicine in the United States was detained at Boston’s Logan International Airport on March 13, as revealed in legal documents obtained by ABC News. Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese citizen, held a valid H1B work visa issued just two days prior. She was employed by Brown University as an assistant professor of medicine and specialized in kidney transplants, having also trained at the University of Washington and Yale University.
The legal filing highlighted the distress within Brown’s Division of Nephrology due to Dr. Alawieh’s absence, noting her significant role and expertise in Transplant Nephrology. Despite her qualifications and responsibilities, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials provided no explanation for her detention.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not disclose the reasons for denying her entry into the U.S. but emphasized the importance of verifying admissibility and safeguarding national security. A U.S. district court judge in Massachusetts intervened, ordering that Dr. Alawieh not be deported without proper notice and justification from DHS. However, the court’s directive was allegedly ignored as she was reportedly deported to France with intentions for onward travel to Lebanon.
The situation remains unresolved as the case progresses, with a hearing scheduled for Monday morning. DHS’ handling of the case has raised concerns over due process and adherence to legal requirements.
