DHS Detains Lebanese Doctor with Work Visa to Teach Medicine at Brown University
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese doctor with a valid H1B visa, was detained at Boston Logan Airport upon arriving to teach at Brown University. Her detention has raised serious concerns within the medical community and has sparked legal scrutiny. Despite a court ruling against her deportation without notice, reports indicate that DHS may have proceeded with her deportation to France, with implications for her continued academic contributions.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese doctor, was detained on March 13 at Boston Logan International Airport upon arrival to teach medicine at Brown University. Holding a valid H1B work visa issued just two days prior, she was appointed as an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Alawieh is a kidney transplant specialist with previous training at the University of Washington and Yale University.
According to legal documents from Brown University, her detention caused significant concern within the institution’s Division of Nephrology. Faculty members expressed that Dr. Alawieh has crucial responsibilities and asserted that her absence was unmanageable. The filing emphasized her status as “an outstanding academic in Transplant Nephrology.”
Despite inquiries, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not provided an explanation for her detention or denied entry. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that all arriving aliens must demonstrate their admissibility, maintaining rigorous protocols to ensure national security. Hilton Beckham, CBP’s Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs, reinforced this commitment by highlighting the agency’s thorough inspection and vetting procedures.
A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled that Dr. Alawieh should not be deported without prior notice and justification from DHS. However, reports indicated that DHS allegedly ignored this order and proceeded to deport her to France, potentially continuing on to Lebanon. The confirmation of this deportation remains unverified, with a hearing scheduled for the following Monday.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh’s detention illustrates significant challenges faced by foreign professionals seeking to contribute to the U.S. academic landscape. Despite holding a valid work visa and a critical position at Brown University, her case raises questions regarding the procedures and criteria adhered to by DHS and CBP. The legal complexities associated with her detention and deportation continue to develop, warranting close attention to the upcoming court hearing.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
