A federal judge has put the Trump administration on the spot, demanding answers over the controversial deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a newly hired professor at Brown University. The judge’s order comes after allegations that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deported Alawieh in direct defiance of a court order meant to protect her from removal.
Dr. Alawieh, a Lebanese national, had just secured an H-1B visa to work as an assistant professor of medicine at Brown University. But when she landed at Boston’s Logan International Airport on Thursday morning, CBP officers detained her, later putting her on a flight to France with a scheduled connection to Lebanon. The circumstances surrounding her sudden deportation have left many questioning the government’s actions, with critics calling it a blatant violation of due process.
Her cousin, Yara Chehab, wasted no time in taking legal action. By Friday, Chehab had filed a lawsuit against key government officials, including Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, CBP Commissioner Peter Flores, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The lawsuit claims that CBP has been stonewalling every attempt to get information about Alawieh’s detention, refusing to provide a justification, denying her access to attorneys, and failing to assure her legal team that she wouldn’t be deported.
Judge Leo Sorokin of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts took swift action. On the same day the lawsuit was filed, he issued an order barring Alawieh’s deportation unless the court was given 48 hours’ notice. However, by Sunday, Sorokin discovered that she had already been removed from the country. This apparent disregard for his order led the judge to demand an immediate response from the Trump administration. He ordered them to provide a legal and factual explanation by 8:30 a.m. EST on Monday, just before a previously scheduled 10 a.m. hearing.
“The government shall respond to these serious allegations with a legal and factual response setting forth its version of events,” Sorokin stated in the filing. “The government shall preserve all of the documents bearing on Dr. Alawieh’s arrival and removal since the issuance of the visa described in the Petition, including emails and text messages.”
The case has drawn significant attention, particularly from civil rights advocates. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, has condemned the deportation and is demanding that the Trump administration allow Alawieh to return immediately. CAIR argues that her deportation is not only legally dubious but also indicative of a troubling pattern of discrimination against Muslims and immigrants of color.
“As a U.S. resident for six years and a doctor working for the Division of Kidney Disease & Hypertension at Brown Medicine, Dr. Alawieh played a critical role in treating countless patients who needed specialized care,” CAIR stated. “Deporting lawful immigrants like Dr. Alawieh without any basis undermines the rule of law and reinforces the suspicion that our immigration system is turning into an anti-Muslim, White supremacist institution that seeks to expel and turn away as many Muslims and people of color as possible.”
The details of Alawieh’s journey to the United States add another layer to the controversy. She initially came to the U.S. in 2018 on a J-1 visa to complete a two-year fellowship at Ohio State University. She later pursued further medical training at the University of Washington before completing the Yale Waterbury Internal Medicine Program in June. Brown University then extended an offer for her to become an assistant professor, sponsoring her H-1B visa.
Earlier this year, Alawieh traveled to Lebanon for a short visit but faced delays in securing her visa. After months of waiting, she was finally able to obtain it on March 11—only to be detained and deported upon arrival back in the United States. The reason for her detention remains unclear, as CBP has refused to provide any justification.
Despite mounting criticism, CBP is standing firm on its decision. Hilton Beckham, the assistant commissioner of public affairs for CBP, issued a statement defending their handling of the situation.
“Arriving aliens bear the burden of establishing admissibility to the United States,” Beckham said. “Our CBP officers adhere to strict protocols to identify and stop threats, using rigorous screening, vetting, strong law enforcement partnerships, and keen inspectional skills to keep threats out of the country. CBP is committed to protecting the United States from national security threats.”
While the government continues to cite national security concerns, Alawieh’s case has sparked a larger debate about the treatment of immigrants and the apparent disregard for legal protections. Many fear that this incident could set a dangerous precedent where legal residents—even those with valid work visas—could be deported without due process.
The unfolding legal battle is set to test the limits of executive power in immigration enforcement. As the Monday morning hearing approaches, all eyes are on the Trump administration’s response. Will they acknowledge any wrongdoing, or will they double down on their decision to deport Alawieh? Either way, this case is likely to have lasting implications on immigration policies and civil rights protections in the United States.
For now, Alawieh remains in limbo, stranded outside the country despite having secured legal employment in the U.S. Her case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges immigrants face, even when they follow the legal pathways set by the government. With mounting pressure from advocacy groups and the court’s demand for answers, the Trump administration may soon have to answer for what many see as an unjust and unlawful deportation.
As the fight for justice continues, one thing is certain—this case is far from over.
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