The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has claimed that Lebanese doctor Rasha Alawieh was detained and deported due to her attendance at the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah—a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.—in Beirut, Lebanon.
A Lebanese doctor, Rasha Alawieh, was detained and deported from Boston Logan International Airport on Thursday upon arriving in the United States on a valid H-1B worker visa, issued on March 11.
“Last month, Rasha Alawieh traveled to Beirut, Lebanon, to attend the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah—a brutal terrorist who led Hezbollah, responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade terror spree. Alawieh openly admitted this to CBP officers, as well as her support for Nasrallah,” DHS posted in a clarification Monday on social media.
In a statement, DHS further said, “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.”
Last month, Rasha Alawieh traveled to Beirut, Lebanon, to attend the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah— a brutal terrorist who led Hezbollah, responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade terror spree. Alawieh openly admitted to this to CBP officers, as well as her…
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 17, 2025
Alawieh, a highly trained kidney transplant specialist, was set to begin her role as an assistant professor of medicine in Brown University’s Nephrology Department. She had previously completed training at the University of Washington and Yale University.
Upon her arrival at Logan Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers took Alawieh into custody. According to DHS, during questioning, she admitted to traveling to Beirut last month to attend Nasrallah’s funeral following his death in a strike last year.
Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over four decades, was labeled a “brutal terrorist” by DHS, which holds him responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in attacks spanning his tenure.
A Massachusetts District Court judge had issued an order prohibiting DHS from deporting Alawieh without providing 48 hours’ notice and a clear explanation for the action. But before receiving this order, DHS had already returned her to France, where she was scheduled to board a flight to Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the judge canceled a Monday morning hearing because Alawieh had already departed the United States by the time Customs and Border Protection officers at Boston’s Logan Airport received notice of the judge’s order.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
