U.S. authorities have deported Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Rhode Island-based kidney transplant specialist, to Lebanon after discovering photos and videos related to Hezbollah in her phone’s deleted folder. The 34-year-old physician, who held an H-1B visa, was detained upon returning from a trip to Lebanon and was denied re-entry based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) findings. Officials cited security concerns, stating that her support for Hezbollah’s late leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei raised doubts about her true intentions in the U.S.
Alawieh’s expulsion has sparked controversy, with hundreds of demonstrators, including colleagues from Brown University, protesting against her deportation. Brown University has since advised its international staff and students to reconsider travel outside the U.S. amid growing concerns over immigration enforcement. Her cousin had filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the deportation, but Alawieh was flown out of the country before the court’s intervention could take effect.
The U.S. Department of Justice defended CBP’s actions, stating that the notification of a court order blocking her removal was not received through standard legal channels. However, Alawieh’s legal team argues that officials were made aware of the judge’s directive before she boarded the flight. The case continues to draw attention as advocates challenge the handling of her deportation and broader immigration policies under the current administration.
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