Roland Mehrez Beainy, a 28-year-old Lebanese entrepreneur based in Texas, is currently facing deportation proceedings initiated by U.S. federal authorities, The Guardian reports.
The founder of the Trump Burger restaurant chain is accused of overstaying the validity period of his visa, which had been granted in 2019.
Beainy legally entered the United States in 2019 with “non-immigrant visitor” status and was required to leave the country no later than February 12, 2024, as confirmed to The Guardian by a representative of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His remaining in the country beyond that deadline led to his arrest on May 16, 2025, marking the start of deportation proceedings.
According to ICE, Beainy attempted to regularize his status by declaring a marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, the agency pointed to a lack of evidence proving that the couple lived together—an essential element in such cases. This absence of proof led to the rejection of his application for legal residency.
The first Trump Burger location opened in Bellville, Texas, in 2020, at the end of Donald Trump’s presidency. The restaurant stood out for its décor featuring the president’s image, its rustic atmosphere, and satirical menu items targeting Trump’s political opponents. The brand has since expanded to several Texas cities, including Houston, according to The Guardian.
Despite its success, the establishment has also sparked controversy. Beainy revealed that he had received arson threats as early as the opening of his first restaurant. Responding to the allegations, he stated that “ninety percent of the crap they say is not true,” referring to ICE’s claims about his immigration status.
Adding to his legal troubles, Beainy is currently in a dispute with a former landlord in Kemah, Texas. He claims the landlord evicted his staff before taking over the restaurant, which was later renamed MAGA Burger. The landlord, on the other hand, accuses Beainy of unpaid rent and has filed a lawsuit.
In response to the situation, ICE maintains a firm stance: “It doesn’t matter what restaurant you run or what your political views are—everyone must follow the rules,” the agency said, adding that all immigrants who have violated immigration laws are subject to deportation.
The federal agency stated that its actions are part of an effort to restore “the integrity of the immigration system.” Anyone in the country without legal status or who has overstayed their visa is at risk of removal. This position reflects the administration’s commitment to enforcing the law without distinction, regardless of a person’s profile or political affiliations.
Roland Beainy is scheduled to appear before an immigration court on November 18, 2025. Until then, he remains free but his status in the United States remains uncertain.
The case of Trump Burger and its owner highlights a striking contradiction in the United States: the tension between the most ardent supporters of the administration and its uncompromising immigration policy. Beainy’s situation shows that, despite the perceived protection some may feel due to their visibility or political allegiance, the law applies uniformly to immigrants.
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Source: The Guardian
