(UNITED STATES) The owner of Trump Burger, 28‑year‑old Lebanese national Roland Beainy, faces potential deportation over alleged immigration fraud, federal officials say. ICE arrested him in May 2025 in Texas; he is out on bond while his immigration case moves forward.
DHS alleges Beainy overstayed his visa after entering the United States in 2019 and later sought legal status through a sham marriage. USCIS revoked the marriage‑based petition after finding evidence it was fraudulent, including reported statements from some of his relatives. Beainy denies most claims, saying “90 percent of the s–t they’re saying is not true,” but he has declined to provide details on the advice of counsel.

What authorities allege and why it matters
- DHS and ICE accuse Beainy of immigration fraud tied to a marriage they say did not involve living together, a common marker in sham‑marriage cases.
- Officials note he has no Green Card and reference a past assault charge and “illegal marriages,” language used to stress what they call a pattern of abuse of the immigration system.
- If an immigration judge finds fraud, Beainy could be removed and face a long bar on returning to the United States.
Key takeaway: A fraud finding can lead to removal plus significant future immigration barriers.
Trump Burger and local fallout
- Beainy co‑founded Trump Burger in Bellville, Texas, in 2020, later expanding around the Houston area.
- The restaurants are known for pro‑Donald Trump branding and memorabilia.
- Civil disputes have accumulated, including landlord fights and unpaid debt claims. After a landlord dispute in June 2025, one site rebranded as MAGA Burger.
- The legal turbulence has rippled through staff and suppliers:
- Workers worry about pay and schedules if locations pause or close.
- Vendors report unpaid invoices that strain small‑business cash flow.
What happens next in immigration court
- The government bears the burden to prove removability and may seek additional penalties if it proves marriage fraud.
- Beainy can:
- Contest removability
- Seek relief (where eligible)
- Request voluntary departure
- Outcomes vary by the quality of evidence and legal strategy. If DHS proves fraud, many future family‑based petitions will be difficult due to the marriage fraud bar.
How marriage fraud cases usually work
- Sham‑marriage allegations often focus on whether the couple shared a real life together. Officers look for:
- Joint lease or mortgage records
- Shared bank accounts
- Dated photos over time
- Messages, travel, and testimony
- If USCIS doubts the marriage, it can schedule a Stokes interview, where spouses answer detailed questions separately; inconsistencies can trigger revocation.
- When USCIS revokes a petition, it may refer the case to ICE for enforcement. Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests these referrals grew more frequent in 2024–2025 as DHS emphasized marriage‑fraud enforcement.
Official stance under current policy
- ICE says its mission applies regardless of political views or business ownership and emphasizes action against anyone who enters illegally, overstays, or commits fraud.
- DHS cites “flagrant abuse” in this case and signals more reviews of suspected sham marriages to deter false claims tied to marriage.
What Beainy says
- Beainy disputes most allegations and points to pending court dates, saying lawyers advised him not to discuss details.
- He argues media coverage paints an unfair picture and that Trump Burger’s politics draw extra attention.
- Supporters say his restaurants create jobs and that deporting him would hurt local workers. Critics insist the law should apply equally and fraud cases should be enforced firmly.
Key terms explained simply
- Overstay: Staying past the date allowed on a visa.
- Marriage fraud: Marrying solely to obtain immigration status, without a real shared life.
- Removal proceedings: The court process where a judge decides if someone must leave the country.
Forms and evidence often involved
- Common forms in marriage‑based cases:
- Form I‑130 — Petition for Alien Relative (USCIS may approve, deny, or revoke)
- Form I‑485 — Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (for those applying inside the U.S.)
- Typical evidence government officers may review:
- Tax returns
- Leases and mortgage records
- Bank records and insurance
- Birth records for children together
- Travel history, photos, messages
- Testimony from neighbors or relatives
Item | Purpose |
---|---|
Form I‑130 | Initiates family‑based petition |
Form I‑485 | Adjust status to permanent resident (if eligible) |
Joint documents (leases, accounts) | Show shared life together |
Photos/messages/travel | Corroborate relationship over time |
Practical guidance for immigrants and families
- Do not enter a “paper marriage.” Consequences: removal, long bars from reentry, and possible criminal charges.
- Keep proof of a real marriage: leases, bills, bank records, dated photos, messages, travel logs.
- Get legal advice early. A licensed immigration attorney can prepare you for interviews; low‑income immigrants can seek nonprofit legal aid.
- If you receive a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) or a Request for Evidence (RFE), respond by the deadline with solid documents. Missing deadlines often leads to denial or revocation.
Effects on employers and workers
- Small restaurants rely on owners for payroll, supplies, and oversight. Owner detention or removal can stall operations.
- Workers should request written schedules and pay records. If a business closes, state wage‑claim processes can help recover unpaid wages.
- Landlords and vendors may tighten payment terms when owners face legal trouble, increasing risk of closures or rebranding (as occurred with a Trump Burger site).
Community reactions in Texas
- Some customers view the Trump Burger brand as a free‑speech symbol and rally around it.
- Others say the brand distracts from the core issue: alleged immigration fraud.
- Local officials have remained mostly quiet, noting removal decisions rest with federal agencies and immigration judges.
- Community groups use the case to educate newcomers on legitimate paths to status.
What to watch this fall
- Immigration court hearings: Will DHS present witness testimony or additional records about the marriage?
- Criminal or civil filings tied to the alleged fraud: Related matters can affect credibility.
- Business status: Whether more Trump Burger locations close, pay debts, or change names may signal financial strain.
Where to find official rules and updates
- USCIS family immigration pages explain marriage‑based requirements, interviews, and fraud penalties (start at the USCIS family immigration overview).
- ICE posts enforcement updates and press releases about arrests and policy priorities on its website.
The bottom line for similar cases
- Sham marriages carry steep consequences. USCIS and ICE have prioritized enforcement, especially since 2024.
- Honest, well‑documented marriages have the best chance. Good records and truthful answers matter.
- People with past overstays should seek legal advice before filing—early guidance often prevents mistakes that lead to denial or removal.
As the case proceeds, Roland Beainy’s future in the United States remains uncertain. The outcome will influence the Trump Burger brand, workers tied to the restaurants, and local vendors seeking payment. It also sends a wider message: immigration fraud can bring swift enforcement, even for visible business owners.
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