Rhode Island doctor deported after visiting family overseas
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Brown Medicine doctor was deported despite having an H-1B visa, the Boston Globe reports.
by: Leah Crowley
Dr. Rasha Alawieh was detained at Boston Logan Airport on Thursday after returning from a trip to visit her family in Lebanon.
Alawieh works in Brown Medicine’s Division of Kidney Disease and Hypertension.
Dr. George Bayliss told the Globe that Alawieh also works in transplant services at Rhode Island Hospital and teaches at Brown University.
The school said it is “seeking to learn more about the situation.”
According to Bayliss, U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin issued an order for Alawieh to not be moved outside of Massachusetts without a 48-hour notice, but the order didn’t reach immigration officials in time.
Bayliss told 12 News that a federal court hearing on Alawieh is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday.
In a statement, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said, “Arriving aliens bear the burden of establishing admissibility to the United States. 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.”
Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo told 12 News his office is committed to getting answers from the Department of Homeland Security for both Alawieh and the community.
“Since Friday, my office and I have been directly engaged with local and national lawyers, as well as other Members of Congress, to assess the facts surrounding Dr. Alawieh, including the apparent violation of a federal judge’s order,” Amo explained.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on the Trump administration to bring Alawieh back to Rhode Island.
“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 treatment by a specialist,” CAIR said in a statement. “Deporting lawful immigrants like Dr. Alawieh without any basis undermines the rule of law and reinforces 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.”
A protest in support of Alawieh is planned for Monday at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Rhode Island State House.
12 News has reached out to Brown Medicine for comment.