Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a respected kidney transplant specialist and faculty member at Brown University, was deported to Lebanon, despite holding a valid H-1B visa and a federal court order temporarily blocking her removal. The case has ignited a fierce legal and political debate over the U.S. immigration system, the treatment of foreign medical professionals, and the power of judicial oversight in deportation cases.
Dr. Alawieh was returning to the United States from a family visit to Lebanon when she was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Boston Logan International Airport on March 13, 2025. Despite her legal status, she was informed that she was being deported due to an unspecified visa issue. Her legal team swiftly sought intervention, and a federal judge issued an emergency order halting her deportation, mandating that she be given 48 hours’ notice before any action was taken.
However, in an unprecedented move, CBP officials deported Dr. Alawieh anyway, sending her on a flight to Paris and then to Beirut on March 15—directly defying the federal court’s order. The decision has triggered outrage from legal experts, civil rights groups, and immigration advocates, who argue that this represents a dangerous breach of judicial authority and a potential violation of constitutional rights.
Legal Fallout and Government Response
Federal Judge Leo Sorokin, who issued the stay on her deportation, has demanded a full explanation from immigration officials, calling their actions a blatant disregard for the rule of law. A hearing has been scheduled for March 17, during which government attorneys must justify why CBP officials ignored the court’s order and proceeded with the deportation.
“This is a fundamental issue of judicial authority,” said an immigration law expert. “If government agencies can ignore court rulings without consequence, it sets a deeply troubling precedent for the entire legal system.”
Meanwhile, CBP has remained silent, refusing to disclose the exact reason for Dr. Alawieh’s deportation or why they ignored the judge’s stay. In a brief statement, the agency cited “national security protocols” but provided no further explanation.
Who is Dr. Rasha Alawieh?
Dr. Alawieh is a highly regarded kidney transplant specialist who has trained at some of the top medical institutions in the United States, including Ohio State University, the University of Washington, and Yale-Waterbury Internal Medicine Program. She has spent years contributing to cutting-edge medical research and mentoring future doctors at Brown University. Her sudden deportation has raised alarm within the medical community, which heavily relies on foreign-trained specialists to address critical shortages in the U.S. healthcare system.
Public Outrage and Institutional Reaction
The deportation has drawn widespread condemnation from civil rights groups, legal experts, and fellow medical professionals. Organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have called for her immediate return, citing concerns that the deportation violates legal protections for visa holders.
At Brown University, faculty and students have rallied in support of Dr. Alawieh, demanding that the institution take action to facilitate her return. University officials have yet to issue a public statement but are reportedly working with legal teams to assess possible next steps.
“This is a disgraceful abuse of power,” said a faculty member at Brown’s medical school. “Dr. Alawieh has dedicated her life to saving others, and this is how she’s treated?”
Can Dr. Alawieh Return?
Legal experts believe that Dr. Alawieh may still have options to challenge her deportation, but the process could be lengthy. Some attorneys have suggested that she could apply for humanitarian parole, which would allow her to re-enter the U.S. temporarily while her case is reviewed. Others argue that the federal court may take extraordinary measures to rectify what many are calling a clear violation of judicial authority.
“This isn’t just about one person,” said an immigration lawyer familiar with the case. “This is about whether court orders actually mean anything. If the government can ignore a judge’s ruling today, what’s stopping them from doing it again tomorrow?”
What’s Next?
The March 17 court hearing will be a pivotal moment in determining whether immigration officials will face legal consequences for violating the judge’s order. The case is also expected to fuel broader discussions on immigration policy, the rights of foreign workers, and judicial accountability in the U.S.
For now, Dr. Alawieh remains in Lebanon, uncertain about when—or if—she will be able to return to the country she has called home for years.