Trump Burger Co-Founder Detained By ICE, Could Face Deportation
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The co-founder of the Trump Burger restaurant chain in Texas faces potential deportation from the United States, after allegedly making inaccurate statements on an immigration application.
Roland Beainy, one of the owners of the local burger chain named after President Donald Trump, was notified that he will have his green card revoked over suspected marriage fraud, while embroiled in lawsuits over the company.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek that Beainy was under investigation and said the government does not tolerate immigration fraud.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not responded to requests for more details on Beainy's immigration case.
Newsweek reached out to Trump Burger Tuesday afternoon, with Beainy responding but deferring to his attorney, who is yet to respond with comment.
Inset: Roland Beainy. Main: Diners place their orders at the Trump Burger restaurant in Bellville, Texas, on April 19, 2025.
Inset: Roland Beainy. Main: Diners place their orders at the Trump Burger restaurant in Bellville, Texas, on April 19, 2025.
Facebook/RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images
Why It Matters
Beainy jointly runs the pro-Donald Trump chain, with four locations in Texas, in support of Trump, who has made it clear that his administration will continue to take a tough stance on immigration enforcement, including the revocation of permanent residency from those who are seen to have committed crimes.
What to Know
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) told a woman claiming to be Beainy's wife in East Bernard, Texas, on January 29 that his immigration status granted through an I-130 form, or Petition for Alien Relative, would be revoked.
Beainy, a Lebanese national who moved to the U.S. around 2019, has not publicly commented on the reports. Trump Burger posted a meme to its Instagram story Monday showing the president with the words "You're fake news".
What Is Trump Burger?
Trump Burger is a small fast-food chain with four locations across Texas. It sells Trump-themed food, including the Trump Tower burger and the Melania Crispy Chicken, with Trump impersonators shown serving guests on the company's social media channels.
The restaurant is not endorsed by the White House or the Trump Organization, with the Fayette County Record reporting that a cease-and-desist letter was recently sent to the owners asking them to stop using the Trump name and brand, accusing them of misleading the public.
When one location opened in Houston in May, it received scathing reviews, with one reviewer saying it "consistent in blandness".
People visit and dine at the Trump Burger restaurant in Bellville, Texas, on April 19, 2025.
People visit and dine at the Trump Burger restaurant in Bellville, Texas, on April 19, 2025.
RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/GETTY
Who Are the Owners of Trump Burger?
Roland Beainy is one of the owners of Trump Burger, with a reported 50 percent share, along with Bart and Dana Blakelock.
Beainy had bought his share of the company from Iyad Abuelhawa, also known as Eddie Hawa, who started the original Trump Burger in Bellville.
On April 16, Beainy reportedly sued Hawa claiming that he owns half the company, but Hawa countersued saying he never signed an agreement in January. Hawa is seeking $1 million in damages.
Who Is Roland Beainy?
Beainy is a Lebanese national who is believed to have held a U.S. green card. He describes himself as "the culinary tycoon" on his private Instagram profile. He also faces other lawsuits surrounding his business ventures, per the Record.
He reportedly came to the U.S. in 2019 and applied for legal status in 2021 via the woman claiming to be his wife.
USCIS is said to have found no lease documents or other evidence that Beainy was married to the woman who filed his immigration application.
What People Are Saying
A DHS Spokesperson told Newsweek: "The Department of Homeland Security has zero tolerance for immigration fraud, and this individual's claims are baseless. USCIS revoked the petition after evidence, including admissions from the petitioner's own family, exposed his marriage as a sham designed to game the system.
"This person has no Green Card, a history of illegal marriages, and an assault charge. DHS is actively pursuing all legal avenues to address this flagrant abuse of our immigration laws."
What's Next
An immigration court hearing is scheduled for November 18.
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