A Texas businessman who runs a string of President Trump-themed restaurants was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Trump Burger owner Roland Beainy entered the U.S. in 2019 as a non-immigrant and was allowed to remain in the country through February 2024. The 28-year-old from Lebanon was arrested in May and released on bond in June to face immigration proceedings, according to ICE officials.
Beainy’s eateries have no known ties to the president or The Trump Organization, though photos of the chain’s four operations posted online use the 79-year-old, fast food-loving leader’s likeness.
“Despite false claims to the contrary, Roland Mehrez Beainy does not have any immigration benefits that prevented his arrest or removal from the United States,” ICE said in a statement sent to the Daily News.
The Trump administration has made restricting entry to the U.S. and deporting people who are in the country illegally a top priority since the 47th president took office in January.
“Under the current administration, ICE is committed to restore integrity to our nation’s immigration system by holding all individuals accountable who illegally enter the country or overstay the terms of their admission,” ICE said with regards to Beainy’s case. “This is true regardless of what restaurant you own or political beliefs you might have.”
Trump Burger has a rating of three out of five stars on Yelp!, where online activity was being monitored due to the sudden increase of media attention coming to that business’ page.
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