A Texas fast-food chain called Trump Burger has shut its doors across the state as its owner, 28-year-old Lebanese national Roland Beainy, faces ongoing deportation proceedings after an ICE arrest in May 2025. The company’s Houston site posted “closed” signs in recent weeks, and as of October 10, 2025, all locations appear closed while the case moves through immigration court, according to public records and statements from authorities.
Beainy entered the United States in 2019 on a non-immigrant visitor visa and was required to depart by February 2024. Authorities say he stayed past that deadline. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that agents arrested him in May 2025. An immigration judge later granted him bail, but the case remains active. ICE has said Beainy does not hold any immigration benefit that would stop removal at this time and stressed that enforcement applies the same way to everyone, regardless of business or political ties.
The closures quickly drew attention because Trump Burger leaned into branding that celebrated President Trump, with menu items and decor referencing him and his family. The brand started in Bellville and grew to several locations, including Houston, before the legal troubles mounted. The company did not announce a timeline for reopening. The future of the chain remains unclear as the owner’s immigration case plays out.
What We Know About the Case
- Entry and status
- Beainy entered the U.S. in 2019 under a visitor visa and was required to leave by February 2024. He did not depart by that date, according to federal officials.
- ICE arrest
- Authorities conducted an ICE arrest in May 2025. He was later released on bail by an immigration judge.
- Current posture
- Deportation proceedings are ongoing. ICE has stated he has no current immigration benefit that would block removal.
- Business impact
- As of October 10, 2025, all Trump Burger locations appear closed.
- Brand dispute
- In February 2025, the Trump Organization sent a cease-and-desist letter accusing the business of infringing on the Trump brand and misleading the public about any affiliation.
- DHS allegation
- The Department of Homeland Security has alleged Beainy attempted to manipulate the system through a sham marriage to a U.S. citizen — a claim he denies.
The immigration case stands on two clear tracks: the civil removal case and the separate brand dispute with the Trump Organization. The brand matter is not part of the immigration court process but adds pressure on a small business already under strain.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, immigration cases involving business owners often trigger rapid operational decisions, including sudden closures, as owners try to manage payroll, leases, and legal fees while attending court hearings.
Background on the Brand and Public Reaction
Trump Burger’s political theme made it an unusual local story even before the arrest. The chain:
- Drew fans who supported President Trump and customers curious about the branding.
- Attracted critics who questioned whether it had any official ties to President Trump.
- Received a cease-and-desist letter from the Trump Organization in February 2025, asserting no affiliation and alleging trademark infringement.
Some customers have expressed anger or confusion at the closures, especially given the brand’s identity. Supporters saw the restaurant as aligned with their politics; others were drawn by novelty and local buzz. Now, public attention has shifted to what happens next in court and whether the chain can survive.
Immigration Process and Next Steps
In removal cases, the federal government files charges that a person is removable under U.S. immigration law. The process generally proceeds as follows:
- The government files charges alleging removability.
- The respondent (the person charged) can admit or contest those charges in immigration court.
- An immigration judge hears the evidence and issues a decision.
- ICE may apply enforcement measures—supervision, detention, or release on bail—while the case proceeds.
- Appeals can extend timelines if decisions are challenged.
For general information on how immigration courts function, consult the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR): https://www.justice.gov/eoir.
Officials say Beainy lacks immigration benefits that would stop removal. That typically means there is no approved status—such as a valid nonimmigrant visa, an asylum grant, or permanent resident status—on file that would automatically protect him. This statement does not disclose what claims he may raise in court.
The DHS allegation of a sham marriage, which Beainy denies, could affect credibility findings if marriage-based filings exist or are attempted. Immigration judges make such determinations based on evidence presented in court. No court ruling on that allegation has been made public.
Important: If an immigration judge orders removal and that decision becomes final, ICE would carry out removal absent a legal stay. If relief is granted and the decision stands, the person could remain. There is no public schedule for the next hearing in this case, and no announced date for any potential reopening of the restaurants.
Operational and Community Impacts
For small businesses, an owner’s detention or court schedule can disrupt operations quickly:
- Supply chains and vendor payments can falter.
- Employees may lose hours or jobs without notice.
- Landlords and lenders typically demand answers the owner may not have.
- Customers encounter locked doors and limited explanation.
In this case:
- Employees at multiple Trump Burger sites have faced uncertainty.
- Staff may need to seek other work without a confirmed reopening date.
- Vendors supporting the Houston and Bellville operations may feel a financial hit, especially small suppliers reliant on regular orders.
The brand and enforcement issues together hit cash flow and focus simultaneously, increasing the likelihood of sustained closures.
Legal and Practical Takeaways
- Running a business on a temporary visa does not change visa deadlines. When a visitor visa expires, staying beyond the authorized period can lead to arrest and removal.
- Owners who hope to keep a firm operating during court proceedings generally need:
- A strong management team,
- Clear access to funds,
- A contingency plan for quick operational decisions.
- In many small operations, the owner is central to the business; without them, closure is often more likely.
Final Context
ICE emphasized that enforcement applies equally, regardless of a business’s political messaging. A catchy name or public message does not alter visa rules, deadlines, or court obligations. This case illustrates how immigration law can have immediate, tangible effects on daily life — from a family’s paycheck to a burger shop’s neon sign — and how legal disputes (immigration and trademark) can converge to strain a small business.
This Article in a Nutshell
Trump Burger, a Texas fast-food chain notable for pro-Trump branding, closed all locations by October 10, 2025, while owner Roland Beainy faces deportation proceedings following an ICE arrest in May 2025. Beainy entered the U.S. in 2019 on a nonimmigrant visitor visa and allegedly overstayed a required departure date of February 2024. An immigration judge granted him bail, but ICE says he has no immigration benefit preventing removal. The Trump Organization sent a cease-and-desist in February 2025 accusing the chain of trademark infringement. DHS alleges a sham marriage, a claim Beainy denies. The brand dispute and immigration case are separate but together increased pressure on operations, leaving employee livelihoods and vendor relationships uncertain as court processes continue.
