Brown University Professor Deported Over Alleged Hezbollah Ties, Sparks Legal Battle
In a high-profile deportation case, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a 34-year-old assistant professor at Brown University’s medical school, was stopped and deported at Boston Logan International Airport after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials allegedly found “sympathetic photos and videos” of Hezbollah figures in the deleted folder of her phone.
Alawieh, a Lebanese national, was returning to the U.S. after a recent trip to Lebanon, during which she attended the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime leader of Hezbollah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in September 2024.
This case has sparked controversy, raising national security concerns, legal debates, and diplomatic questions.
Deportation Details: What Led to Her Removal?
According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, Alawieh was detained at the airport when CBP officers conducted a search of her phone and found pro-Hezbollah content in a deleted folder.
Additionally, Alawieh admitted to CBP officers that she attended Nasrallah’s funeral while visiting Lebanon, stating that she followed his teachings “from a religious perspective, not a political one.”
Hezbollah is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government. The group has been responsible for attacks that have killed hundreds of Americans over four decades.
A DHS statement on the deportation was direct:
“A visa is a privilege, not a right—glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be denied. This is common sense security.”
Hilton Beckham, CBP’s assistant commissioner of public affairs, reinforced the agency’s position:
“Arriving aliens bear the burden of establishing admissibility to the United States. 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.”
Alawieh was placed on an Air France flight to Paris on Friday, and then continued on to Lebanon, where she arrived over the weekend.
Federal Judge Ordered a Delay—But Deportation Still Happened
The deportation sparked legal questions after U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin (an Obama appointee) had issued an order delaying her deportation by at least 48 hours. The court wanted to review her case before a decision was made.
However, federal officials stated they were not properly notified of the judge’s order before they removed Alawieh from the country.
According to Fox News, Judge Sorokin had planned an in-person hearing on Monday, March 17, but postponed it after learning that Alawieh was already on a flight out of the country.
The judge has now rescheduled the hearing for March 25, to allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to respond to allegations that federal agents ignored a court order by carrying out her removal before the scheduled hearing.
Alawieh’s Lawyers Withdraw from the Case
Adding to the intrigue, Alawieh’s legal team abruptly withdrew from her case. CBS Boston reported that her attorneys cited “due diligence” as their reason for withdrawing, though no further explanation was provided.
This unexpected legal move has raised speculation about what additional evidence or legal issues may have come to light.
Was This a National Security Risk or Legal Overreach?
Alawieh’s deportation raises key legal and political questions:
- National Security Concern: Did she pose a legitimate security risk? Given her admitted attendance at the funeral of a Hezbollah leader and the presence of Hezbollah-related content on her phone, DHS argues that she failed the test of admissibility.
- Legal Due Process: Was her removal a violation of judicial authority? Federal agencies claim they were not informed in time about the judge’s 48-hour deportation delay.
- Visa Policy Debate: Should non-U.S. citizens with alleged ties to foreign terrorist organizations be given an opportunity to defend themselves in court before deportation?
Political and Public Reactions
The case has stirred heated reactions from both security-focused conservatives and civil liberty advocates.
Supporters of Alawieh’s Deportation Argue:
✔️ The U.S. must maintain strong national security standards and ensure no foreign nationals with links to terrorism are allowed entry.
✔️ Attending a terrorist leader’s funeral and having sympathetic Hezbollah content should disqualify a visa holder.
✔️ Courts should not interfere in immigration enforcement when clear threats are identified.
Critics of the Deportation Argue:
❌ The deportation may set a dangerous precedent for academic freedom, as Alawieh worked for a major U.S. university.
❌ The CBP’s search of her phone and reliance on social media content raise concerns about privacy rights.
❌ Ignoring a federal judge’s order weakens judicial oversight of the executive branch.
What Happens Next?
With Alawieh now back in Lebanon, the legal case continues, but her direct fight to return to the U.S. is over—at least for now.
🔹 March 25 Court Hearing: The DOJ will respond to the allegation that federal agencies ignored the judge’s order.
🔹 Visa Revocation Final? Given DHS’s strong stance, it seems unlikely that Alawieh will be granted re-entry to the U.S.
🔹 Diplomatic Fallout? The case could have broader implications for U.S.-Lebanon relations.
Final Thoughts
The deportation of Rasha Alawieh is a test case of national security policy vs. individual rights. While CBP argues she was a security threat, her case also raises concerns over due process and judicial authority.
As the court battle continues, this case serves as a stark reminder of the growing tension between national security, immigration policy, and judicial oversight in the U.S.