The White House stirred controversy by resharing a post regarding Dr. Rasha Alawieh’s deportation, stating ‘bye-bye Rasha’ alongside a photo of Trump. Dr. Alawieh, deported over alleged Hezbollah ties, is engaged in a legal battle, citing a federal judge’s order for her to remain in the US. Her case highlights the government’s strict stance on visa holders with extremist allegations.
The White House received backlash on Monday for resharing a post from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which discussed the deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese doctor. They added the phrase “bye-bye Rasha” with a photo of President Donald Trump waving. This incident follows Dr. Alawieh’s removal from the United States after federal authorities alleged her connections with Hezbollah.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist, was detained upon her arrival at Boston Logan International Airport last Thursday. Allegations arose concerning her ties to Hezbollah, as DHS cited her attendance at the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on February 23. Additionally, officials noted that she had pictures of Nasrallah and Hezbollah fighters on her phone, which she deleted.
DHS articulated that a visa is a privilege, proclaiming that glorifying terrorists justifies the denial of visa issuance. Alawieh held an H-1B visa for her role as an assistant professor at Brown University and had previously worked in Rhode Island. The circumstances of her removal have raised legal questions, given a federal judge mandated that she must not be removed without 48 hours’ notice.
Judge Leo Sorokin’s order allowed her to remain until a hearing could be conducted, yet government lawyers asserted that Customs and Border Protection officials were not aware of this until after Dr. Alawieh’s departure. Her lawyer, Stephanie Marzouk, emphasized the ongoing legal battle by stating their commitment to bringing Dr. Alawieh back to the United States to fulfill her medical responsibilities.
Despite being questioned about her ties to Nasrallah, Alawieh expressed that her interest lies in seeking “religious and spiritual teachings” rather than aligning with political or military pursuits. She reportedly deleted photos to avoid misinterpretation, insisting that she had not engaged in any wrongdoing. This deportation adds to a broader trend of scrutiny directed toward visa holders with perceived extremist affiliations, evidenced by recent actions against other activists.
The recent deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh from the United States has stirred significant controversy, particularly following the White House’s provocative commentary. Her removal sheds light on the government’s stringent measures against individuals with alleged extremist associations. Legal challenges persist, underscoring the complexities surrounding immigration and national security policies. The implications of her case resonate within a wider context of heightened scrutiny on foreign nationals with alleged ties to terrorism.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
