US deports Brown University professor after admitting to attending Hezbollah leader’s funeral in Lebanon

A Brown University professor and physician was deported from the United States to Lebanon after admitting to attending the funeral of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in February. Dr. Rasha Alawieh, an assistant professor in the Division of Nephrology at Brown University’s medical school, was detained by federal agents at Boston Logan International Airport on March 13, 2025, following her return from Lebanon. Federal agents reportedly discovered photos on her cell phone showing Nasrallah and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as reported by CNN.
The photos were deleted shortly before her arrival at the airport, according to a court filing obtained by CNN. Dr. Alawieh explained she did not want authorities to perceive her as supporting Hezbollah or the Iranian government, which is considered a state sponsor of terrorism by the US. Despite her explanation, the US government moved to expel her from the country, citing national security concerns.
Deportation details and legal battle
Dr. Alawieh, 34, was reportedly informed by federal agents that her photos of Nasrallah and Khamenei raised suspicions regarding her connections to Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization in the US. According to the court filing, she acknowledged attending Nasrallah’s funeral on February 23, 2025, a public event attended by thousands. "I think if you listen to one of his sermons, you would know what I mean," Alawieh allegedly said to the agents, describing Nasrallah as a spiritual leader rather than a political figure, as quoted by CNN.
Her deportation sparked a legal battle, with her attorney, Stephanie Marzouk, stating that they would continue to fight for her return to the US. Marzouk emphasized that the deportation violated Dr. Alawieh’s rights, and she urged the US government to follow due process, as reported by CNN.
Controversy over immigration policies
Dr. Alawieh’s deportation has raised concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Critics argue that the decision highlights how such policies may be weaponized against people of color, especially those of Muslim background. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the deportation, calling it an example of unjust immigration enforcement. In a statement, CAIR criticized the deportation as an overreach and warned it could undermine the rule of law. As reported by CNN, Democratic Rep. Gabe Amo of Rhode Island also pledged to demand further clarification on Dr. Alawieh’s case from the Department of Homeland Security.
The deportation comes amid rising tensions over the Trump administration’s stricter border enforcement, and it remains a highly contentious issue, especially for those within academic and immigrant communities.