Brown University warns internationals after staffer's deportation

Brown University has issued a travel warning to its international students and faculty. This caution comes after a university staff member, Rasha Alawieh, was deported to Lebanon. Alawieh, a physician at Brown Medicine, was detained at Boston Logan International Airport after returning from a trip to Lebanon. The Trump administration has expanded the powers of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This allows ICE to operate near sensitive locations like schools and hospitals. There are concerns that the administration is not following court orders on deportations and lacks transparency in its processes. Alawieh, who entered the U.S. in 2018 on an H-1B visa, reportedly admitted to customs agents that she attended the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Officials found photos on her phone related to Islamic extremism. Following her detention, a court issued an order to prevent her removal. Brown University sent a warning email on March 16 stating that international travelers might face difficulties returning to the U.S. because of potential travel bans and changing reentry rules. The email expressed understanding of the anxiety and uncertainty that many in the community are feeling. In addition to Alawieh’s case, the Trump administration is considering implementing travel restrictions for several countries. There would be different categories of restrictions based on security assessments. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security emphasized that promoting extremist ideologies can lead to visa denials. They stressed that holding a visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S., as customs officers conduct thorough security checks. Looking ahead, the Trump administration plans to increase ICE arrests to boost deportation numbers. This has raised ongoing debates about civil liberties and the treatment of non-U.S. citizens in America.