Rhode Island
Judge demands explanation after R.I. doctor deported despite court order – The Boston Globe
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, 34, a kidney transplant doctor and assistant professor at Brown Medicine and Rhode Island Hospital, traveled to Lebanon to see her parents but was prevented from re-entering the United States at Logan airport on Thursday evening.
On Friday, Judge Leo T. Sorokin of the US District Court in Massachusetts ordered the government not to move Alawieh outside the District of Massachusetts without 48 hours’ notice so that he could consider a habeas corpus petition, which said Alawieh had a valid visa authorizing her entry into the country.
But Alawieh was placed on a flight to Paris on Friday night, and she was later flown back to Lebanon, arriving on Sunday morning, according to her colleagues and lawyers.
Her lawyers filed a notice of apparent violation, claiming the government “had actual notice of this court’s order and willfully disobeyed this court’s order.”
On Sunday, Sorokin ordered the government to answer that claim.
“These allegations are supported by a detailed and specific timeline in an under oath affidavit filed by an attorney,” the judge wrote. “The government shall respond to these serious allegations with a legal and factual response setting forth its version of events.”
Sorokin gave the government until 8:30 a.m. Monday to respond, and he set a hearing for 10 a.m. Monday at the John J. Moakley Courthouse in Boston.
“In addition,” the judge wrote in his order, “the government shall preserve all of the documents bearing on Dr. Alawieh’s arrival and removal since the issuance of the visa described in the petition including emails and text messages.”
A US Customs and Border Patrol spokesperson, Ryan Brissette, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Alawieh’s colleagues at Brown Medicine and Rhode Island Hospital said they were outraged that she had been deported after studying and working in the United States for six years under J-1 and H-B1 visas.
Dr. George P. Bayliss, medical director of Brown Medicine’s organ transplant program, said he hopes the judge will declare immigration authorities in contempt of court and order Alawieh to be returned to the United States.
“I am outraged and upset,” he said. “The government is acting without regard for the courts.”
Plenty of other doctors in Rhode Island have H-1B visas, Bayliss said. “Everyone is at risk,” he said.
The US country has a shortage of kidney doctors, but graduates of foreign medical schools have been coming in on visas to train as nephrologists, Bayliss said. “This has implications far beyond Dr. Alawieh and our division,” he added. “This could worsen the shortage of doctors taking care of people with kidney disease and potentially transplantation.”
Dr. Basma Merhi, medical director of the living donor program and associate medical director of Brown Medicine’s transplant program, described Alawieh as her friend and colleague. “She is an accomplished doctor,” she said. “I don’t know why this should happen to a physician that is very needed and a valuable person to our program.”
The situation is creating widespread anxiety, Merhi said. “If this happened to a doctor serving her patients and helping people and saving lives, it can happen to anybody,” she said.
Rally set for 6 p.m. Monday at the State House in support of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Brown Medicine doctor who was denied re-entry to the US after visiting her parents in Lebanon, and then deported despite a judge’s order. pic.twitter.com/w3DUPGME2u
— Edward Fitzpatrick (@FitzProv) March 16, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights group, on Sunday called for the Trump administration to immediately readmit Alawieh to the country.
“Deporting lawful immigrants like Dr. Alawieh without any basis undermines the rule of law and reinforces suspicion that our immigration system is turning into an anti-Muslim, white supremacist institution that seeks to expel and turn away as many Muslims and people of color as possible,” the council said in a statement.
US Representative Gabe Amo, a Rhode Island Democrat, said in a statement that his office has been in contact with local and national lawyers and other members of Congress “to assess the facts surrounding Dr. Alawieh, including the apparent violation of a federal judge’s order.”
Steven Brown, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, said the ACLU is willing to help with legal assistance.
“The idea that somebody who has been lawfully working and living in this country for years can be suddenly whisked away by our government to another country without any semblance of due process would give any person who cares about our democracy pause,” Brown said. “And the fact that it was done in apparent defiance of a court order makes it even more appalling.”
A protest in support of Alawieh has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday on the Rhode Island State House lawn.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
Rhode Island
One Big Question After RHORI Renewal
Bravo cameras will be rolling in Rhode Island once again this summer.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island has officially been renewed for season two—and honestly, it’s no surprise. The newest addition to the Housewives franchise quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to strong ratings and early award buzz.
READ MORE: RHORI Earned Two Critics’ Choice Award Nominations
Still, not everyone may be celebrating this news.
It didn’t take long for viewers to get hooked on the Ocean State edition, especially with the intense drama that unfolded just a few episodes in.
The Infidelity Allegations That Drove the Season
At the center of it all? The allegations of infidelity involving Rulla Nehme Pontarelli’s husband, Brian—a storyline that quickly became the season’s biggest talking point.
The situation even left Rulla questioning her future on the show, saying she would have to “think very long and hard about” returning for another season.
Will Rulla Return for Season 2?
Now that season two is officially happening, the big question is: will Rulla be back?
Fans certainly hope so. Rulla has been one of the most talked-about cast members on social media, and her storyline has driven much of the conversation around the show.
READ MORE: Fans React to First Look at Real Housewives of Rhode Island Cast
As of now, Rulla is expected to return alongside Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi.
Bravo via Facebook
When and Where Filming Will Begin
If production follows last year’s schedule, filming will likely kick off in mid-June and run through mid-September—once again showcasing Rhode Island at its summer best.
For now, fans seem thrilled. The announcement sparked more than 100 excited comments on Facebook, with viewers eager for more drama, more glamour, and more Ocean State moments.
So don’t be surprised if you spot Bravo cameras popping up around Rhode Island again very soon.
40 Photos Of Real Housewives Of Dallas Stars Home For Sale
Built & owned by actress, celebrity chef & Real Housewife, D’Andra Simmons-this stylish & stunning award winning two story,5 bedroom modern is on a corner lot in prestigious Highland Park and its on sale for $5.2 Million.
Gallery Credit: Christine McKenny, Agent/ Allie Beth Allman & Associates
A Real Housewives Star Just Made $7.7M On Her Ridiculous Colorado Home
Kyle Richards, from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, just sold this ridiculously gorgeous home in Aspen, Colorado, for $7.7 Million. You’ve gotta see these pix…
Gallery Credit: Aspen MLS
The Gorga’s of The Real Housewives of New Jersey Put Their Jersey House Up For Sale
It has 7 bedrooms 5 bathrooms and a pool but really it will be better if we show you this celebrity home that is up for sale in the Jersey Shore.
Gallery Credit: EeE
Rhode Island
Lieutenant governor candidate wants the office to be RI’s inspector general
A new era for State Troopers in southern RI
Closing the State Police barracks facilities in Wyoming and Wickford marks the end of an era in community policing
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Loughlin wants the office to become the Rhode Island inspector general his party has been seeking in vain for years.
Loughlin, a former state representative, said on May 11 that, if elected, he would staff the underutilized office with people who would help him expose “fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.”
“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing − year after year after year,” Loughlin said in a news release. “For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will − starting on day one.”
Why turn the lieutenant governor into an inspector general?
The Rhode Island Constitution gives the lieutenant governor little to no authority beyond being available in case the governor is unable to finish their term. That’s prompted some to call it a “do nothing” office and others to propose abolishing it.
“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings,” Loughlin said in his news release. “Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”
The lieutenant governor’s office has a budget of $1.4 million, which Loughlin said is enough to staff and run an effective investigative team made up of “certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals” to review state agency spending and contracts.
He acknowledged that the lieutenant governor does not have subpoena power, but believes that investigations can be completed utilizing public records requests and gathering publicly-available data.
Loughlin, who ended his talk radio show earlier this year when he announced his campaign for governor, said he would communicate his findings through “RI Report” publications, news briefings and podcasts.
He said he would also make the office’s resources available to city and town leaders.
Republicans have been fighting for an inspector general
Rhode Island Republicans have for years promised to lower state spending by rooting out government waste, fraud and abuse. The last GOP Rhode Island governor, Donald Carcieri, launched a “Fiscal Fitness” program that aimed to save money and find efficiencies.
Democrats criticized Carcieri’s tenure for featuring exorbitant privatization and outsourcing.
Since Carcieri, the idea of creating an independent inspector general similar to those in other states has become a holy grail for Rhode Island Republicans, but the Democratic General Assembly has had little interest in it.
“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers – and that’s only the beginning,” Loughlin said in the news release.
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Numbers Midday, Numbers Evening winning numbers for May 10, 2026
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 9-9-9-0
Evening: 5-5-0-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing
01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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