BOSTON (AP) — Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a doctor from Lebanon, was deported over the weekend, raising serious concerns. She had a valid U.S. visa but Homeland Security claimed she supported Hezbollah, a group designated as a terrorist organization in the U.S. This claim is particularly alarming because a judge had previously ordered that she not be removed until a hearing.
Homeland Security’s statement emphasized that visas are privileges and supporting terrorism is a valid reason to deny entry. Dr. Alawieh’s case is one of several recent deportations involving individuals with valid visas, including Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested after peacefully protesting the Gaza war. This trend highlights growing tensions around immigration policies.
Stephanie Marzouk, Dr. Alawieh’s attorney, expressed determination to bring her back to the U.S. to continue her work as a kidney transplant specialist. According to Marzouk, Dr. Alawieh has been wrongly accused, and she has a strong track record of service in her field.
Court documents related to her case are sealed, but some reports suggest that she had photos of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, on her phone. She acknowledged having the photos but claimed they were for religious purposes, not political ones. However, her deletion of these images shortly before her arrival in Boston raises questions about her intentions.
Dr. Alawieh was set to work as an assistant professor at Brown University. She has previously held positions at various universities and has made significant contributions to the medical community. Dean Dr. Douglas Shemin at Brown Medicine noted that her absence severely impacts patient care, as she was one of only a few nephrologists in Rhode Island.
Support for Dr. Alawieh is growing. Colleagues rallied outside Boston’s federal courthouse, emphasizing the impact of her deportation. They highlighted that there are over 300 patients waiting for kidney transplants, and her absence is felt acutely.
Simultaneously, the situation for other activists like Khalil raises broader free speech concerns. His lawyers argue that his treatment is intended to suppress dissent and intimidate others from speaking out against government policies.
These incidents reflect a troubling trend in U.S. immigration enforcement, where individuals engaged in lawful expression face severe repercussions. They also underline the complex relationship between national security and individual rights, sparking discussions around fairness and civil liberties in an increasingly polarized environment.
Recent data shows that immigration enforcement actions have surged in recent years, with many individuals caught in the crossfire of policies that can seem arbitrary. It’s vital for communities to remain engaged and supportive, ensuring that all voices, especially those in critical professions like medicine, can be heard and respected.
For more information on this issue and related policies, visit the American Civil Liberties Union website.
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