Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Brown Medicine assistant professor with a valid U.S. visa, was deported to Lebanon after being detained at Boston Logan International Airport for 36 hours upon her return from a family visit. This deportation occurred despite a federal judge’s order prohibiting her removal without notice and justification. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintains that arriving aliens must prove admissibility, while a court filing alleges willful disobedience of the judge’s order. A hearing is scheduled to address CBP’s actions and Dr. Alawieh’s immediate return.
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A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, blocking President Trump’s attempt to utilize the 1798 Alien Enemies Act for expedited deportations of Venezuelan gang members. The judge ruled the act’s provisions regarding invasion or incursion did not apply to the situation, as the current circumstances did not meet the criteria of war. This class-action lawsuit, brought by two nonprofits, challenges the President’s proclamation, which invoked the act to deport members of the Tren de Aragua gang, designated as a foreign terrorist organization. A further hearing is scheduled, and the Trump administration plans to appeal the ruling.
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Undocumented parents, Juan and Maria, were deported to Mexico with their five children, including a 10-year-old US citizen daughter undergoing brain cancer treatment. Their deportation followed a routine trip to a Houston hospital for the daughter’s ongoing care, where they were detained at a Border Patrol checkpoint despite having previously crossed it without issue. The family, who had lived in the US for over a decade and had no criminal record, now desperately seeks humanitarian parole to allow at least one parent to return with their daughter for continued treatment. The parents’ choice to remain with their children rather than separate ultimately resulted in their removal, highlighting the difficult choices faced by mixed-status families.
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Fabian Schmidt, a New Hampshire resident with a recently renewed green card, was detained at Logan Airport and transferred to an ICE facility in Rhode Island. His family reports he was subjected to harsh interrogation, including a strip search and denial of food, water, and medication, resulting in hospitalization for influenza. While the reason for his detention remains unclear, past minor offenses, including a dismissed marijuana charge and a resolved DUI, are being investigated as potential grounds for deportation. Legal counsel has been secured, and efforts are underway to secure his release on bail.
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Jewish Voice for Peace staged a protest at Trump Tower to denounce the arrest and potential deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist. Ninety-eight protesters were arrested for trespassing and related charges after refusing to leave. Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident, faces deportation despite having no criminal charges and his wife being an American citizen. President Trump has stated Khalil’s arrest is the first of many targeting students engaging in what he deems “pro-terrorist” activities.
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Following his arrest and green card revocation, Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation has been temporarily blocked by a New York judge, pending further court proceedings. While the government seeks to transfer the case to New Jersey or Louisiana, Khalil’s lawyers argue his detention is retaliatory for exercising his First Amendment rights. The judge granted Khalil limited contact with his legal team, who claim the government lacks evidence to support accusations of terrorism. This case highlights a rare application of immigration law and raises concerns about the Trump administration’s targeting of pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses.
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The Trump administration proposes transforming Fort Bliss, a large US army base, into a major deportation hub, sparking widespread criticism. This plan involves initially detaining up to 1,000 migrants, potentially expanding to 10,000, utilizing the base as a central point in a nationwide network for deportations. Opponents, including Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, argue this would severely compromise military readiness and constitutes inhumane treatment of migrants. Concerns exist regarding the legal and human rights implications of detaining migrants on a military base, as well as the potential for escalating the already strained immigration enforcement.
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A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, who was arrested for his pro-Palestinian activism. The arrest, reportedly stemming from a State Department order to revoke his green card, is seen as an escalation of efforts to suppress pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses. Khalil’s attorney argues the arrest is an attempt to suppress political speech, while the DHS claims his activities aligned with Hamas. A legal challenge is underway, with the judge’s order preventing Khalil’s deportation pending a ruling.
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Lucas Sielaff, a German citizen, and his American fiancée were detained by CBP at the San Diego border after entering from Tijuana. Following accusations of visa violation despite Sielaff’s claims of compliance, he was arrested by ICE and held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center for over two weeks. After intervention, Sielaff was deported to Germany, expressing gratitude for his release. While ICE cited visa violation as the reason for detention, CBP and ICE did not provide further details to inquiries.
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A video depicts the forceful arrest of two Honduran men by ICE agents in Indianapolis. The agents, some from other agencies, pulled the men over, and despite the men repeatedly asking why, they were aggressively removed from their van. Neither man faced criminal charges related to the stop, but both were detained, one eventually transferred to Louisiana, potentially facing deportation. One man’s wife stated he worked to support his family, including a handicapped daughter.
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John Q. Hosedrinker