Will you be deported?: Trump’s Immigration Proposals and Their Legal Implications for Brown Students
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Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a doctor and professor specializing in kidney transplants for the non-profit organization Brown Medicine, which is affiliated with Brown University, was detained and deported at Boston Logan Airport on Thursday, March 13, following a trip to Lebanon. Without warning, despite years of humanitarian medical work in nephrology, the study of kidneys, in the U.S., Dr. Alawieh’s visa was revoked mid-travel, and she was denied entry into the country. Her case has stirred deep concern across the Brown University community and beyond, especially among international students. For many, it raises the urgent question: Can this happen to me?
This blog post unpacks the legal framework surrounding deportation, spotlights how the Trump administration’s immigration rhetoric influences related policies, and offers practical guidance for international students navigating a precarious and uncertain legal landscape.
The Legal Foundation of Deportation
Under U.S. law, the power to deport individuals is broad. The Immigration and Nationality Act (1952) (INA) lays out numerous grounds for deportation, including overstaying a visa, committing certain crimes, or being deemed a national security threat (INA §237).
What makes Dr. Alawieh’s case especially alarming is that her visa was revoked while she was abroad. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), entry into the U.S. is never guaranteed, even for those with valid visas. Homeland Security alleged images and videos of Hezbollah leaders who are classified as terrorists were found on Alawieh’s phone, giving sufficient reason to deport her, stating: "A visa is a privilege not a right — glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be denied." This power derives from 8 U.S.C. §1182(a), which allows CBP officers to deny entry to anyone they suspect of posing a risk which includes engaging in terrorist activity, providing material support to terrorist groups, threatening national security, or endangering U.S. foreign policy interests. The Department of State may revoke visas at any time under 22 C.F.R. §41.122. Individuals often do not learn of the revocation until they attempt to re-enter the country. The Supreme Court has affirmed this discretionary authority in Kleindienst v. Mandel (1972), emphasizing that decisions made by U.S. officials and embassies and consulates are largely immune from judicial review.
How International Students Are Vulnerable
Typically, international students hold F-1 (academic) or J-1 (exchange) visas. Both come with strict conditions, including continuous full-time enrollment and limitations on off-campus work (8 C.F.R. §214.2(f)). A student can fall out of status for something as minor as dropping a class without prior authorization, immediately classifying them as deportable (INA §237(a)(1)(C)(i)).
Previous actions under the Trump administration have demonstrated how fast these rules can become subject to change. In 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that international students taking online-only classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic would be forced to leave the U.S. This mandate led to public outcry and lawsuits, including ones led by the administrations of Harvard and MIT, ultimately compelling the Trump administration to reverse the rule.
Another attempt, a proposed rule in 2020, sought to end “duration of status” for F and J visa holders and replace it with strict end dates. Under duration of status, students can remain in the U.S. as long as they maintain full-time enrollment and comply with visa terms, offering flexibility for academic delays, changes in programs, or unforeseen circumstances. Replacing it with strict end dates would make the visa process significantly more rigid and burdensome, requiring students to apply for extensions or new visas more frequently—even for legitimate academic reasons. Though the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) eventually withdrew this proposal, it could be reintroduced under Trump’s ongoing presidency.
Trump’s 2025 Immigration Agenda
In fact, Trump’s 2024 campaign shows a revival and expansion of many earlier immigration proposals under his “Agenda 47”, including expanded expedited removal (a fast-track deportation process that bypasses immigration court for certain noncitizens without valid entry documents), ending birthright citizenship, and reinstating travel bans that targeted Muslim-majority countries. While a judge swiftly denied his plan to end birthright citizenship, it’s uncertain whether his other plans face similar challenges or will instead pass.
Trump’s proposed expansion of expedited removal is legally permissible under existing immigration law. The Immigration and Nationality Act (§235) allows the Department of Homeland Security to deport noncitizens without a court hearing if they cannot provide evidence of two years of continued U.S. residence, meaning documented, uninterrupted physical presence in the country—such as leases, bills, school records, or employment history—proving they have lived in the U.S. for that duration. Although this policy was initially contested, it was upheld in Make the Road New York v. Wolf (2020). The ruling allowed the federal government to significantly expand expedited removal nationwide, increasing the risk of rapid deportation for individuals unable to quickly prove two years of continuous presence. For Brown students, especially those who no longer meet the terms or conditions of their visa status or are undocumented, the risk of removal without due process would rise significantly.
Trump’s intention to reinstate travel bans targeting Muslim-majority nations is legally viable, as upheld by the Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii (2018). The decision effectively allowed religion-based discrimination to shape immigration policy and opened the door for future bans targeting specific nationalities with limited legal recourse. The President also has broad authority under INA §212(f) to block the entry of noncitizens deemed a national security threat. If reinstated, this policy could prevent students from countries like Iran, Syria, or Somalia from re-entering the U.S. after travel, delay their visa renewals, or block their families from visiting, making students and scholars from these regions especially vulnerable.
Additionally, a 2024 Axios report revealed that Trump’s immigration advisors are planning mass deportation operations, stricter visa screening, and restrictions on travelers from “high-risk” nations. Alarmingly, these proposals are legally feasible using expanded DHS and CBP powers, especially under INA §§235 and 212(f). If implemented, they would likely target individuals from the Middle East, Africa, and China due to proven heightened scrutiny on these countries (as evident from the Muslim travel ban, recent deportations of students from these regions, and an increased effort by the Trump Administration to deport Chinese nationals). For impacted Brown students, this means longer visa delays, increased denials, and surveillance of research areas deemed sensitive—especially in STEM fields. These policies could also discourage family visits, internships abroad, or attending international academic conferences for fear of being denied re-entry.
With the information we have on the Trump administration’s plans for immigration, it’s significant for students to be cautious about international travel, ensure all of their immigration documents are current, and avoid activities that could be misinterpreted, for example, like unapproved employment or potentially controversial research topics. Close coordination with campus immigration advisors and institutional guidelines is now more important than ever.
Brown University’s Response and Advice
Following Dr. Alawieh’s deportation, Brown’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) issued travel guidance to all international affiliates. The Office also refers resources that allow students and scholars to consult with immigration counsel before traveling and ensure that all documents, including visas and I-20/DS-2019 forms, are current. They recommend that international students check the What to Bring When Traveling guide to ensure that they have all of the documentation they need. They also have an FAQ page answering other questions students may have.
The OISSS also urges international students to carry evidence of their connection to the University, like enrollment letters or departmental sponsorships, when traveling. “Be proactive, not reactive,” the OISSS emphasized in their winter break 2024 advisory. Brown has also increased access to legal consultations for international students in collaboration with outside immigration attorneys.
Practical Tips for International Students
If you are worried about your travel plans or immigration status, here are a few proactive steps:
Check in with school officials before traveling. For general inquiries or to schedule an appointment, you can contact OISSS at oisss@brown.edu or call +1 (401) 863-2427.
Avoid international travel if your visa is near expiration or pending renewal.
Carry documentation documenting your academic or research role.
Utilize university legal aid resources and workshops.
Stay updated on policy changes from ICE, DHS, and your university guidelines.
For legal questions, contact the Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR) Hotline, which offers assistance with immigration-related issues.
To prepare for potential encounters with ICE, review the “Know Your Rights” and “Resources” sections featured in Marissa Guadarrama Oropeza’s Deportation Defense article in The College Hill Independent. If you’ve already interacted with ICE, promptly contact the AMOR Hotline for help navigating next steps.
Oropeza’s article also lists the following organizations that could provide immigration related resources in Rhode Island:
Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island: Provides appointment-based low-cost advice and representation. Trained to support cases of naturalization, family petitions, temporary protected status, asylum, deportation defense, legal services for victims of crime, etc.
Catholic Charities of Providence, Project Hope/Proyecto Esperanza: All the above
Progreso Latino: Free consultations but include nominal fee, same services
Looking Ahead
Dr. Alawieh’s deportation is more than a tragedy—it’s a stark warning for us all. It shows how U.S. immigration enforcement can entangle even those with lawful visas, meaningful careers, and institutional support. Students at Brown, international and domestic, as well as the global community, deserve clear protections, yet existing immigration law leaves us vulnerable to arbitrary decisions that could impact all of our academic and professional futures.
While Brown has stepped up to support its international community, structural reforms are required at the federal level. Until then, awareness and preparedness are among the best defenses for students navigating a system that can change at any moment, sometimes at the border.
Connor Swenson is a sophomore at Brown University, concentrating in Political Science and Philosophy. He is a writer for the Brown Undergraduate Law Review and can be contacted at connor_swenson@brown.edu.
Cat Gao is a sophomore at Brown University studying Philosophy and Literary Arts. She is an Editor for the Brown Undergraduate Law Review and can be reached at cat_gao@brown.edu.