‘The trump administration just deported a board-certified transplant nephrologist who had the audacity to try to get her cousin a visa to come into the country, and the court said “Don't deport her,” and the White House basically said “FU.” This is truly criminal.’ ~ my friend, a retired nephrologist, who texted me this morning.
Brown University Professor is Deported Despite a Judge’s Order
New York Times:
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist and […] professor at Brown University’s medical school has been deported from the United States, even though she had a valid visa and a court order temporarily blocking her expulsion, according to her lawyer and court papers.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, 34, is a Lebanese citizen who had traveled to her home country last month to visit relatives. She was detained on Thursday when she returned from that trip to the United States, according to a court complaint filed by her cousin Yara Chehab.
Judge Leo T. Sorokin of the Federal District Court in Massachusetts ordered the government on Friday evening to provide the court with 48 hours’ notice before deporting Dr. Alawieh. But she was put on a flight to Paris, presumably on her way to Lebanon.
In a second order filed Sunday morning, the judge said there was reason to believe U.S. Customs and Border Protection had willfully disobeyed his previous order to give the court notice before expelling the doctor. He said he had followed “common practice in this district as it has been for years,” and ordered the federal agency to respond to what he called “serious allegations.”
The White House flaunted a court order. Sigh.
Action Steps
- Simple action steps are calling your federal electeds. Call your Senators and Representative every day. Three calls a day, less than 5 minutes, asynchronous. For contact information and how to make a call, please see the following:
- Chop Wood, Carry Water
- Indivisible
- Common Cause
- Etc.
- If you are a nephrologist or physician, please contact your professional society/societies and your hospital administration, and make sure they see the New York Times article.
Would someone please add links to the above organizations in the comments?
I must rush away to teach a class, and I am fasting (n.p.o.) for an MRI mid morning. With caregiving, I may not be able to participate much in comments. Sorry.
I plan to post another diary soon about 2 major shortcuts for making political calls.
