U.S. Judge Orders Deportation of Brown University Professor
A U.S. judge has ordered the deportation of a Lebanese citizen who, according to her own statements, attended the funeral of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and possessed photos and videos expressing “solidarity” with Nasrallah and the Supreme Leader of Iran.
Arrest at Boston Logan International Airport
Reuters identified the individual as Rasha Alawieh, a nephrology specialist and assistant professor at Brown University, who was in the U.S. on a work visa. According to the report, she was arrested on Thursday at Boston Logan International Airport.
U.S. Justice Department Justifies Deportation
The U.S. Department of Justice explained that Alawieh was denied re-entry into the United States due to content discovered on her mobile phone and statements she made during an interview with airport officials.
Alawieh reportedly told authorities that her participation in the funeral was purely religious, stating: “Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is a very significant figure in the community, and for me, this is a completely religious matter, not a political one.”
U.S. Terror Designation and Border Security Concerns
The United States classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and considers it part of the “Axis of Resistance” supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Justice Department stated that, given Alawieh’s comments and the images of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Iran’s Supreme Leader found on her phone, U.S. Customs and Border Protection concluded that her “true intentions” for entering the country could not be determined.
Legal Proceedings and Departure to Lebanon
The report further noted that a federal judge in Boston initially ruled that Alawieh’s deportation could not take place without prior notice for 48 hours. However, she departed that same night on a flight to France before continuing to Lebanon.
Previously, the U.S. State Department had emphasized its right to revoke or deny visas to any individual who supports foreign terrorist organizations, including international students.
From: jahanbanou