The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Trump administration to immediately readmit a Rhode Island doctor who traveled to Lebanon to visit family, but was then prevented by U.S. Customs officials from reentering the United States.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh has been working for Brown Medicine in the Division of Kidney Disease & Hypertension on an H-1B visa. A federal court ordered a halt to her deportation Friday while the doctor’s plane was on the tarmac at Boston’s Logan Airport, but the plane took off. [NOTE: A rally on her behalf is set for Monday in Rhode Island.]
SEE: Brown Medicine doctor deported despite federal court order. What we know. – Providence Journal
In a statement, CAIR said:
“We call on the Trump administration to immediately readmit Dr. Rasha Alawieh, who was wrongly deported despite possessing a valid visa and despite a court order protecting her from deportation.
“As a U.S. resident for six years and a doctor working for the Division of Kidney Disease & Hypertension at Brown Medicine, Dr. Alawieh played a critical role in treating countless patients who needed treatment by a specialist.
“Deporting lawful immigrants like Dr. Alawieh without any basis undermines the rule of law and reinforces suspicion that our immigration system is turning into an anti-Muslim, white supremacist institution that seeks to expel and turn away as many Muslims and people of color as possible.”
Yesterday, CAIR called the Trump administration’s expulsion of South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool “racist” and “Islamophobic” retaliation for his nation’s opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Last week, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), CAIR’s national office and the law firm of Dratel & Lewis announced the filing of a federal lawsuit on behalf of anti-genocide activist Mahmoud Khalil and other Columbia University students against Columbia University and the Committee on Education and Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives regarding the Congressional request to disclose thousands of student records.
SEE: Civil Lawsuit
SEE: Who is Mahmoud Khalil, Palestinian student activist facing US deportation?
CAIR-NY previously condemned the wrongful arrest of Khalil and demanded his release. CAIR has also announced a call to action urging people to contact members of congress and demand Khalil’s release.
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, Calls for Immediate Release
SEE: CAIR Action Alert: Free Mahmoud Khalil
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com