Dr. Rasha Alawieh, 34, is a kidney transplant specialist, distinguished medical researcher and professor at Brown University.

Despite her legal status in the US, she was detained on Thursday at Boston Logan International Airport when she returned from her trip to Lebanon, according to a court complaint filed by her cousin Yara Chehab.

Even though the Judge 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, she was deported regardless.

Reasons for her detention and deportation are unknown.

Dr. Rasha Alawieh is a distinguished medical researcher, who has made important contributions to neuroscience and stroke recovery, earning recognition for her vital work.

Her patients included individuals awaiting transplants and those dealing with the complex conditions that can occur after a transplant, Dr. George Bayliss, who works in the Brown Medicine kidney transplant program with Dr. Alawieh told the New York Times. He called Dr. Alawieh “a very talented, very thoughtful physician.”

“We are all outraged,” he added, “and none of us know why this happened.”

This abrupt and unjust action has not only upended Dr. Alawieh’s life and career but also deprived the U.S. of a brilliant scientist whose research benefits countless patients.

We call on the U.S. government to reinstate Dr. Alawieh’s legal residency and allow her immediate return.

Sign this petition to demand justice for a dedicated educator, scientist, and legal resident who belongs in the country she has served.