Deportation of Brown University Doctor Ignites Protests and Legal Challenges

Dr. Rasha Alawieh was deported to Lebanon after U.S. officials cited security concerns over photos on her phone, despite a federal judge's order for an in-person hearing.

Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist and assistant professor at Brown University, was deported to Lebanon on March 15, 2025, following her detention at Logan International Airport.
U.S. authorities cited photos and videos of Hezbollah leaders and fighters found on her phone as grounds for her deportation, questioning her intentions in the United States.
Her deportation proceeded despite a federal judge's order for an in-person hearing, raising concerns about procedural violations and civil liberties.
Protests erupted in Rhode Island, with over 200 attendees, including colleagues and community members, highlighting the loss of a critical medical professional and broader implications for immigrant communities.
A controversial White House social media post mocking Dr. Alawieh's deportation added to public criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies.