According to Breitbart, Rasha Alawieh, a 34-year-old Lebanese doctor, was deported by U.S. authorities for alleged support of terrorists.
Rasha Alawieh, originally from Lebanon, came to the United States in 2018 on a J-1 visa to complete a fellowship at Ohio State University. Over the years, she worked at several universities, including Brown University, where she specialized in kidney transplants.
Upon returning from a trip to Lebanon, Alawieh was detained at the airport. She was informed that her recent activities overseas had led to the revocation of her visa and she would be deported immediately. During her visit to Lebanon, Alawieh attended the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on September 27 of the previous year. This event raised concerns among U.S. federal authorities about her affiliations.
Further scrutiny of Alawieh's personal belongings, including her mobile phone, revealed multiple deleted photos of Lebanese terror leaders. This discovery supported the decision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deport Alawieh.
The DHS explained its stance, stating that "Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be denied. This is commonsense security." These remarks reference the stringent U.S. policy on visa holders who may pose a security threat. The Department of State further elaborated on this policy, underscoring that "U.S. visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued." They emphasized the ongoing monitoring of visa holders to ensure compliance with all U.S. laws and immigration rules.
In a dramatic turn of events, Judge Leo T. Sorokin issued a temporary stay on Alawieh's deportation at about 7 p.m. on a Friday, just an hour before her scheduled deportation. Despite this judicial order, officials at Logan Airport proceeded to place Alawieh on the departing plane.
It later emerged that the airport officials had not been informed of the judge's order in time. Judge Sorokin had planned multiple hearings to address the issue but had to cancel them once the deportation was confirmed.
Alawieh argued her presence at Nasrallah's funeral was from a religious perspective. "He is a religious, spiritual person... His teachings are about spirituality and morality," she explained, suggesting that her actions were misunderstood by the authorities.
Following her deportation, Alawieh's cousin, Yara Chehab, filed a lawsuit against several prominent U.S. officials. The lawsuit challenged the legality and procedural adherence of the deportation process.
In her defense, Alawieh expressed that her support for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was also rooted in religious admiration rather than political alignment. However, this did little to sway the decision of the federal authorities.
Community reactions were mixed, with some understanding the security concerns of the U.S. government, while others critiqued what they saw as an overreach impacting personal freedoms and disregarding judicial orders.
The incident has sparked a broader debate on the balance between national security and individual rights. Legal experts and human rights advocates are closely watching the outcomes of the ongoing lawsuit, which could influence future deportations and visa adjudications.
The case of Rasha Alawieh highlights the complexities and challenges of enforcing security without encroaching on religious freedoms and respectful treatment of legal visa holders. These challenges are particularly poignant in cases involving geopolitical sensitivities and allegations of terrorism.
As the legal battles unfold, the eyes of both the global community and local citizens will be on how the U.S. navigates these turbulent waters, ensuring safety while respecting the fundamental rights and dignities of individuals.