BOSTON (TNND) — U.S. authorities deported a doctor after finding “sympathetic” videos and photos of “prominent Hezbollah figures” in a folder of deleted items on her phone, Politico quoted the federal officials in a Monday report as saying.

Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese doctor who worked as a professor at Brown University on an American visa, was deported Friday, a day after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interrogated her, according to the outlet. The agency reportedly asked her about images of deceased Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other heads of the militant group.

Politico, citing a transcript of the reported interrogation, said Alawieh responded that she had the images since Nasrallah and other Hezbollah leaders are revered by many Shia Muslims.

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS’s Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs told The National News Desk that, “Last month, Rasha Alawieh traveled to Beirut, Lebanon, to attend the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah— a brutal terrorist who led Hezbollah, responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade terror spree. Alawieh openly admitted to this to CBP officers, as well as her support of Nasrallah.”

“So I have a lot of Whatsapp groups with families and friends who send them. So I am a Shia Muslim and he is a religious figure,” Alawieh said, according to the outlet. “He has a lot of teachings and he is highly regarded in the Shia community.”

“I think if you listen to one of his sermons you would know what I mean. He is a religious, spiritual person, as I said, he has very high value,” Alawieh reportedly added. “His teachings are about spirituality and morality.”

Politico noted that CBP asked her if she supported Nasrallah, to which she initially said no but later acknowledged she did “from a religious perspective.”

The agency also questioned her about photos of Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to the outlet. Alawieh reportedly replied that having them was typical of Shia Muslims.

“It has nothing to do with politics. It’s a purely religious thing,” Politico quoted her as saying. “He’s a very big figure in our community.”

CBP believed that Alawieh deleted some photos a day or two before arriving to the U.S., according to the outlet. She reportedly said she didn’t “want the perception.”

“But I can’t delete everything. But I know I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m not related to anything politically or militarily,” Politico reported Alawieh as explaining.

Hilton Beckham, CBP’s Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs told The National News Desk that, “Foreign nationals who promote extremist ideologies or carry terrorist propaganda are inadmissible to the U.S., plain and simple. A visa does not guarantee entry—CBP has the final authority after conducting rigorous security checks. Officers act swiftly to deny entry to those who glorify terrorist organizations, advocate violence, or openly support terrorist leaders and commemorate their deaths. Anyone found with extremist materials linked to a U.S.-designated terrorist group will be removed.”

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at [email protected].