Roland Mehrez Beainy is the owner of a rapidly growing national chain of hamburger restaurants featuring Donald Trump as the customer bait. He is now in active deportation proceedings, after having been detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on May 16. The 28-year-old Lebanese national arrived in the United States five years ago on a non-immigrant visitor visa. His immigration status has drawn significant attention, particularly given the popularity of his restaurant chain, which has multiple locations, including in Houston.
Then, ICE arrested Beainy and put him into immigration proceedings. As of now, he is due for a tentative merit hearing in immigration court on November 18. He received a new temporary reprieve from expulsion from the country, as he had been ordered to leave by Feb. 12, 2024. Beainy continues to assert that he has not broken any laws and that ICE’s accusations against him are false.
“Ninety percent of the shit they’re saying is not true,” Beainy stated in an interview with the Houston Chronicle. Despite the serious nature of his situation, he expressed his desire to continue operating his business and to have support from Trump himself.
Trump Burger quickly expanded, opening its first franchise in 2022. Since then, it has developed a loyal base of support among admirers of the former president. The newish restaurant chain boasts a hall of fame of memorabilia honoring Trump and even includes menu items that ironically attack his political enemies. Some of the proceeds from Trump Burger are said to be earmarked to support Trump’s own fundraising endeavors.
Beainy’s case has sparked media interest not only because of his restaurant’s association with Trump but due to the broader implications for immigrant entrepreneurs in the United States. ICE has emphasized its commitment to enforcing immigration laws, regardless of individuals’ business affiliations or political beliefs.
Under the current administration, ICE is resolutely focused on returning integrity to our nation’s immigration system. They take enforcement seriously and they hold accountable to the fullest anybody who bugs into their country illegally or overstates their admission terms. An ICE spokesperson stated, “This is true regardless of what restaurant you own or political beliefs you might have.”
Beainy’s journey has not been without challenges. He said he was threatened with arson against Trump Burger when the original location opened. This incident illustrates the hostile, polarized climate that his business is operating in. Even with all these challenges, he is hopeful about what lies ahead.
“I would love to have Trump’s blessing and have him come by my restaurant,” Beainy expressed, highlighting his hopes for continued support from the former president and his followers.
As Beainy awaits word on his next court appearance, his future is still uncertain. His situation underscores the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States and the impact on business owners within politically charged environments.