Asylum Seeker Detained Before Crucial Interview
A Venezuelan man arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday for a meeting with asylum officials, but his wife, a well-known doctor in South Texas, was detained at the airport with their 5-year-old daughter. Milenko Faria attended the appointment at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office alone, while Dr. Ruberis Bolivar remained in immigration detention in Texas, unable to partake in an interview she had anticipated for over a decade.
Doctor’s Detainment Raises Concerns
Dr. Bolívar, who has served in a federally designated underserved area, was arrested by Border Patrol agents at McAllen International Airport as she prepared to board a flight to join her husband for their asylum interview. The couple had hoped to undertake this important step together.
Pattern of Arrests Among Venezuelan Medical Professionals
Bolívar’s detention marks her as the second Venezuelan doctor arrested in the region within a week. On April 6, Dr. Ezequiel Bellis also faced arrest at a nearby checkpoint. His attorney, Victor Bader, confirmed that an immigration judge ordered his release shortly thereafter.
Impact of Presidential Immigration Policies
These arrests are indicative of the stringent immigration policies implemented during President Donald Trump’s administration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has shifted its focus toward low-profile arrests following a wave of raids that led to two American deaths in Minnesota earlier this year.
A Commitment to Community and Compliance
Since being accepted into a residency program in June 2025, Bolivar has dedicated her efforts to the emergency room of a McAllen hospital, serving a community of approximately 150,000 residents near the Mexican border. Faria expressed pride in her commitment, stating that they have always adhered to legal procedures in seeking permanent residency.
Family Challenges Amid Legal Complexities
Dr. Bolivar initially arrived in the United States on a tourist visa in 2016 after completing her medical education in Venezuela. Her inclusion in an asylum application filed by her husband came before her visa’s expiration. Both are additionally pursuing green cards through skilled worker applications supported by Faria’s employer in California, where he has worked as an information systems engineer since 2019.
Legal Status and New Policy Restrictions
The couple benefitted from Venezuela’s Temporary Protected Status, which shields over 600,000 Venezuelans from deportation. However, President Trump’s administration has since ended protections for several countries, including Venezuela, with corresponding legal challenges pending in federal courts. The DHS stated that Dr. Bolivar was apprehended due to her undocumented status, having overstayed her visa since 2017.
Changing Dynamics in Immigration Policy Enforcement
Immigration attorney Jodi Goodwin noted a significant shift in policies around September or October 2025, particularly regarding travel for individuals with pending USCIS applications. She remarked that those with outstanding cases are increasingly at risk of arrest while attempting to travel. Before her detainment, Bolivar was making her first trip to California since relocating to Texas for medical training.
Current Status and Family Circumstances
After her arrest, Dr. Bolivar was moved to ICE custody and is currently held at the El Valle Detention Center in Texas. Faria has expressed frustration at the lack of clarity regarding his wife’s detention. Their daughter, a U.S. citizen, was also briefly detained before being placed in the care of her grandfather. She is now residing in California with her father as the situation unfolds.
