A professor at Brown University’s medical school, who was sent back to Lebanon last week despite having a valid visa, allegedly told customs agents that she had attended the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Iran-backed Hezbollah, the Department of Homeland Security said Monday in a statement.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a 34-year-old Lebanese citizen with a valid H-1B visa, returned to the U.S. after visiting her family, according to the court petition filed by her cousin. She was detained Thursday at Boston Logan International Airport, where she was allegedly held for 36 hours “without any justification,” during which time she was unable to speak to legal counsel or contact others, the petition states.
Homeland Security alleged Monday that Alawieh told agents during her detainment that she had traveled to Beirut, Lebanon, last month to attend Nasrallah’s funeral.
“A visa is a privilege not a right — glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be denied,” the agency said.
NBC News was unable to reach an attorney for Alawieh for comment on Monday.
Tens of thousands of people attended the funeral, which was held at the 48,000-seat Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in Beirut. More here