Rasha Alawieh, a Brown University medical professor, was deported to Lebanon over the weekend despite holding a valid US work visa. The incident occurred after Alawieh was detained at Boston’s Logan International Airport on Thursday upon returning from a family visit to Lebanon. In a controversial move, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) placed her on a flight to Paris, which was presumed to be a layover before her return to Lebanon. This action directly contravened a federal court order issued by Judge Leo Sorokin, who had scheduled a hearing for the following Monday and mandated that the federal government provide 48 hours' notice to the court before executing her removal.
The federal government acknowledged receipt of the court order but proceeded with the deportation nonetheless. Judge Sorokin's order, issued on Friday, was intended to block Alawieh's immediate removal from the United States.
“nonetheless thereafter willfully disobeyed the order by sending [Alawieh] out of the United States” – Leo Sorokin, US district court judge
Alawieh's deportation has sparked significant controversy as it highlights growing tensions between the judiciary and the executive branch under President Donald Trump's second administration. The administration has been known for its stringent immigration policies and critical stance towards academic institutions. As part of these policies, universities have been under scrutiny, with Columbia University recently being targeted following pro-Palestine protests in 2024.
The situation has left Brown University advising its international students and faculty members through an email to avoid international travel due to "potential changes in travel restrictions and travel bans." Alawieh's employment status further complicates the issue. She held a clinical appointment with Brown University while being an employee of Brown Medicine, a non-profit organization affiliated with but not operated by the university.
The White House, in an unusual move, released a statement criticizing the judicial ruling, showcasing its defiance against judiciary directives. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, argued against the power of judiciary over immigration policies.
“A single judge in a single city cannot direct the movement of an aircraft … full of foreign alien terrorists who were physically expelled from US soil” – Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary
Meanwhile, a CBP spokesperson defended their actions, emphasizing their commitment to national security.
“adhere to strict protocols to identify and stop threats” – CBP spokesperson