Brown University Doctor Deported Over Hezbollah-Related Imagery on Phone

According to recently sealed court filings, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a physician from Lebanon, was denied entry into the United States after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) discovered photos of Hezbollah operatives on her phone. Dr. Alawieh had been granted an H-1B work visa on March 11, and on March 13, she arrived at Boston's Logan Airport. During a subsequent search of her phone, CBP officials found not only images of Hezbollah but also photos of the group's assassinated leader, Hassan Nasrallah. In an interview with CBP officials, Alawieh claimed that these photos were received from family and friends via a WhatsApp group, asserting, 'He is a religious and spiritual person.' Alawieh also admitted to having attended a Hezbollah rally during a previous trip. Following this revelation, her visa was revoked, and she was sent back to Lebanon, despite a federal judge's order permitting her to remain in the U.S. for an additional 48 hours while her case was under review. Immigration attorney Stephen Roth emphasized that CBP has broad authority to search travelers' devices for national security reasons and can deny entry even to those with approved visas. Alawieh's legal team contends that CBP bypassed a court order, claiming they were unaware of it when Alawieh was already en route to France. The Department of Homeland Security defended the deportation, framing it within the context of national security and stating that supporting or glorifying terrorist groups is grounds for visa denial. Critics of the decision gathered at the Rhode Island State House in support of Alawieh, arguing that her due process rights were violated and expressing concern over the broader implications for immigrant rights. Supporters emphasized her professional contributions, particularly in overseeing kidney transplants for critically ill patients at Brown University. This case reflects a larger narrative about the intersection of national security and immigrant rights in the United States, particularly under the policies enacted during and after the Trump administration. As noted in various media reports, the opaque nature of U.S. deportation policies continues to fuel controversy, especially when issues of due process and national security converge. An analysis of this incident suggests that while national security remains paramount, it is critical to ensure that the rights of individuals are upheld, especially those who have already been granted visas based on merit and professional qualifications. This analysis has been reviewed by artificial intelligence for accuracy and context.